COUNCIL leader John Kent wants even higher standards in schools after the Gazette revealed earlier this month how 74 per cent of Thurrock youngsters were getting a “good” or “outstanding” primary school education.

Thurrock has now officially climbed 25 places in Ofsted’s primary school rankings, to 122nd out of 150, Ofsted’s annual report shows.

However, Mr Kent, who is also education portfolio holder, says the borough is certainly not stopping there.

He said: “This is no surprise to us locally.

“We know how well we’re doing, but it is good for our hard work to be recognised like this.”

“However, having Ofsted’s seal of approval doesn’t mean we should relax our focus.

“Three-quarters of primary aged children in good or better schools is only threequarters of the way to where we want to be.

“Where we want to be is 100 per cent. That is the aim.”

Encouargingly too, the latest Ofsted report shows Thurrock to be the fourth most improved local authority in the country.

Only Peterborough, South Tyneside and Kensington and Chelsea have shown greater improvement than Thurrock in the last 12 months.

The borough’s secondary schools also continue to perform very well.

Thurrock is now 17th in the secondary school rankings nationally, up one place on last year, with an impressive 93 per cent of pupils in good or outstanding secondary schools.

Ofsted’s annual report comes just two weeks after the borough held its first ever awards ceremony celebrating education success in Thurrock.

The event took place at the Backstage Centre at the High House Production Park, in Purfleet.