BLACKBURN with Darwen has the lowest number of high-performing schools in the UK, a study revealed. 

A child’s chances of attending a high-performing secondary school depend heavily on where they live, according to research conducted by Education Policy Institute (EPI).

The EPI research suggests there is a growing geographical divide in England in terms of whether a youngster has access to a secondary where pupils make good progress in their education.

It argues that access to such schools became more unequal between 2010 and 2015, despite government policies aimed at boosting school standards.

The study defines “high-performing” secondary schools as those in the top third in terms of the progress pupils make, rather than exam results or Ofsted judgments.

It concludes access to these schools is good in areas such as London, and parts of the South, but poor in areas such as the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber and parts of the Midlands.

Among areas with the largest decreases in the number of high-performing school places between 2010 and 2015 most are in the North, with the North West particularly prominent.

However it also goes on to calculate that of the 20 local authorities with the largest decreases in high-performing places, none where in London, while Blackburn with Darwen was number one.

In Blackburn with Darwen, the number of high-performing density schools in the borough fell from 33 per cent in 2010 to just four per cent in 2015. 

Cllr Dave Harling, executive member for schools and education, said: “This report is based on historical data and while we recognise that some of our schools have had challenges in the past, it does not reflect the current situation. 

“We are proud of the fact that our schools are performing better than the national and regional average.

“Children who go to school in the borough get a positive and rewarding educational experience.” 

Cllr David Foster, who is the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and used to work as a teacher, said: “I know in the past we have had secondary schools that have been a cause for concern.

“I think we are in an upward trend but we can’t be complacent and need to put resources in.

“Schools always need to look to improve. Sadly as a local authority this can be out of our control as more schools become academies and privatised.”

Cllr Maureen Bateson, who is the executive member for the children’s services portfolio, said: “I would say that some of our schools are top performing and a lot has been done in fact to improve education in our system.”

Former Lib Dem education minister and EPI chairman David Laws said the findings were “shocking” and argued more needs to be done to deal with the issue.

He said: “It is shocking to see that over recent years the access to high quality secondary school places in England has become even more unequal. 

“In one fifth of local areas, children cannot access quality secondary school places. Government rhetoric about spreading opportunity is not being matched by experience in areas such as the North, North East and parts of the Midlands.”