PRIMARY schools across North Somerset were inspected over a two-week period due to concerns over poor performance.

Ofsted took a focused look at the 17 schools to determine why children in the region had a lower chance of attending good or outstanding schools compared to those in similar areas.

The schools inspected were Hanna More Infant School, Grove Junior School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Golden Valley Primary School, Backwell C of E Junior School and 12 others across North Somerset.

During previous inspections six schools were graded as satisfactory or in need of improvement and 11 were graded as good.

The most recent checks found an improvement, with two schools graded as outstanding, 12 schools as good and three in need of improvement.

Regional Director for the South West, Bradley Simmons, said: “The outcome of the focused inspections presents an encouraging picture.

“I am pleased to see that the number of good and outstanding schools in North Somerset are on the rise.”

The inspections revealed a common area for improvement included a stronger focus on most able pupils and ensuring that marking helps pupils to improve.

Mr Simmons said: “The improvement is due to the hard work of teachers, school leaders and the council’s effective school improvement support its primary schools.”