CHILDREN across the region face a "postcode lottery" in their chances of going to a good or outstanding secondary school, according to the North West's education chief.

The annual regional report of schools watchdog Ofsted is published today and highlights a marked quality difference between primary and secondary education.

In Wirral, the review said 85% of pupils attend “good or outstanding” primary schools, but when the student goes on to secondary school, the figure drops to 71%.

Michael Cladingbowl, Ofsted regional director for the North West, said primary and further education sectors in the North West are among the best in England.

And the proportion of children in primary schools judged good or better is the highest in the country. 

But he added: "The performance of secondary schools in the North West is patchier and access to good or outstanding secondary education is a postcode lottery for too many young people. 

"This needs to change."

Mr Cladingbowl said credit should go to teachers and leaders whose hard work ensures that children are receiving the best education.

“However there is still much to do because for too many pupils, reaching the age of 11 can mark the end of a good education," he said.

Ofsted highlighted Knowsley as an example of poor performance at GCSE level, with only 7% who achieved Level 5 or above in mathematics and English aged 11 going on to attain an A*/A grade at GCSE in a local secondary school.

This contrasts with Wirral, where the figure is 46%.

The report concludes: "We need to do more to provide good and outstanding teaching across all settings so that outcomes rise for all children, young people and learners, including for the most
able and those who live in disadvantaged communities."