SCHOOLS in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire which were rated outstanding by Ofsted this year have been praised in the watchdog’s annual report.

Across the district, a total of 25 schools, 58 childcare providers, and two social care providers were judged to be outstanding during 2008/09.

Chief inspector of education, children’s services and skills Christine Gilbert said: "I would like to congratulate all who contributed to the success of outstanding provision across all areas of education, childcare and children’s social care in Gloucestershire. "This is good news, not just for the providers but for the children, young people and learners who benefit from such excellent services."

In Gloucestershire, Dursley Out of School Club, Blue Coat Pre-School Unit and Blue Coat Primary School, the Stepping Stone playgroup in Dursley and Stone with Woodford Primary School were among those named outstanding.

In South Gloucestershire, Charfield Out of School Club, Wickwar Pre School and Castle School also received top marks from Ofsted.

The number of good or outstanding ratings has risen nationally from 59 percent in 2005/06 to 69 percent this year. However, the annual report highlights a growing gap between high achieving schools and those failing their pupils. Ms Gilbert said: "I see evidence of sustained improvement and I see excellence in the most difficult of circumstances. But across the range of Ofsted’s remit, there remains too much that is mediocre and persistently so.

"I am clear of the greatest challenge: to raise the quality of the provision that is only satisfactory to the level of good or outstanding. "I see no reason why every nursery, every school, college, children’s home, all children’s services and indeed, every provider, should not aspire to be good and to be working towards excellence. That’s what gives children and learners, whatever their age, hope and the belief in themselves to succeed."