13 June 2012 Last updated at 11:45 ET

Inspectors fail 10% of Scottish schools

Primary schools are performing slightly better than secondaries overall

One in ten Scottish schools visited by inspectors over the past four years failed its inspection, according to Scottish government figures.

Inspectors visited 43% of public primary schools and half of secondary schools over that period.

Of those, 90% were evaluated as satisfactory or better in all of the three reference quality indicators. The remainder failed to meet the criteria.

The Scottish government said extra support was given to failing schools.

The report published by government body Education Scotland showed 92% of inspected pre-school centres were performing at a satisfactory or better level in all of the three reference quality indicators.

Some 71% were evaluated as good or better and 26% as very good or better, with positive criteria not met in 8%.

For primary schools, 91% were evaluated as satisfactory or better, 72% as good or better and 20% as very good or better in all three reference quality indicators.

Additional support

Positive criteria were not met in 9% of primary schools inspected.

And 88% of secondary schools were graded as satisfactory or better, 64% as good or better and 17% as very good or better. The remaining 12% did not meet the required standard.

Positive criteria were not met in 29% of the most deprived secondary schools inspected.

However, this amounted to only six schools - three of which have now been signed off by inspectors.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said the report underlined why it was important to provide additional support where it is needed "to ensure that Scotland becomes the best place to grow up for all our children."

Mr Russell added: "Curriculum for Excellence is already driving up attainment for every child and will help keep closing the gap between the lowest and highest achievers.

"There is no barrier to all education authorities and professionals working together to ensure that every school in Scotland is supported when and where its needed.

"For too long, the attainment levels of Scotland's children and young people have been determined by social background.

"I passionately believe that the work of Education Scotland of identifying where more support is needed and swiftly working with partners to put it in place is a crucial part of improving children's life chances."