MORE than 500 schools across Lancashire and West Yorkshire are classed as ‘under performing’, new figures show.

And 109 are in immediate need of support, according to analysis carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research.

The study found secondary schools are almost twice as likely to be underperforming as primaries.

Council bosses said the figures, which include schools across Greater Manchester and Merseyside, do not reflect the reality in Lancashire with more than 92 per cent deemed ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

Schools were judged to be underperforming if they were rated ‘inadequate' or 'requires improvement’ by Ofsted or if they fell below the government’s floor standard.

The study, which looked at challenges facing regional schools commissioners, also found there was a shortfall in multi-academy trusts taking on failing schools.

Bob Stott, Lancashire County Council’s director for education, schools and care, said: “Just 3.8 per cent are inadequate or require improvement, compared with 10.6 per cent nationally.

“The confusion is caused by the huge area covered by the relevant regional school commissioner, whose patch covers 25 local authorities.”

Sam Ud-din, Lancashire National Union of Teachers division secretary, said he was surprised at the figures and that not all schools are comparable.

“You do not have the same conditions, the same pupils, parents, buildings, facilities and teachers,” he said.

He added multi-academy trusts are increasingly having problems.