SCHOOLS in Swindon which have been found lacking by Ofsted have been targeted by Swindon Borough Council to help them improve.

While almost all secondary schools in the borough have now become academies out of local authority control, the council are working with Ofsted to bring their attainment up after a report showed only 50 per cent of secondary school pupils in Swindon go to a good or outstanding school.

Nova Hreod and Dorcan have been targeted with seminars to bring standards up.

Paddy Bradley, head of commissioning for economy and attainment at Swindon Borough Council, said: "Clearly from the point of view of inspection outcomes we need them to be higher for young people in the borough.

"We recognise there are improvements to be made, and we have been working very closely with Ofsted. Our direct role in school improvements for secondary schools has now been removed. 

"We now work in collaboration with all schools, and have been organising seminars for with HMI for some schools where that gap is quite wide.

"The seminars have been for schools which are grade 3 and require improvement. There have been a number of research and improvement groups for schools to work on good practice, including best use for pupil premium money.

"Nova Hreod and Dorcan have been targeted for these seminars, where HMI use their experience from a range of school inspections around the country to teach good leadership and management."