The number of schools rated good and outstanding in Sussex have been revealed.

Nine in 10 schools in East Sussex were rated good or outstanding at their last inspection, figures show.

The latest Ofsted data shows that 23 state schools in the area were graded outstanding, and 149 good as of December 31 – 91 per cent of the 188 which had received an inspection by this point.

This was down from 94 per cent in December 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

But it means the area's rate is above that across England, of 87 per cent.

While in West Sussex, nearly nine in 10 schools were rated good or outstanding at their last inspection.

The latest Ofsted data shows that 29 state schools in the area were graded outstanding, and 219 good as of December 31 – 87 per cent of the 286 which had received an inspection by this point.

This was unchanged from December 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.

And it means the area's rate is equal to that across England.

The proportion of schools rated good or outstanding nationally is the highest since comparable records began in 2010 but varied significantly between local authorities.

All 60 schools in the London borough of Camden were good or outstanding, compared to just 71 per cent in Doncaster, in the North East.

Inspectors judge schools on categories including the quality of teaching, personal development and welfare, the effectiveness of the leadership and pupils' achievements.

or outstanding will usually be reviewed again once every four years.

The figures show that just 2,400 schools in England were inspected between 2019-20 and 2021-22 as a result of the pandemic – fewer than would be rated in a typical school year.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said this was a temporary issue but warned that the real problem is the inspection system itself.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, said: “Schools in disadvantaged communities are more likely to receive negative ratings than those in affluent areas because it is often harder in these areas to recruit the range of staff needed to support pupils who may face significant challenges in their own lives."

He said it is a "vicious circle" where negative Ofsted ratings stigmatise schools and make improvement even more difficult.

He added: "The Government must reform the inspection system so it is more supportive and less punitive, improve education funding and work with the sector to boost teacher recruitment and retention."

Schools requiring improvement will be inspected again within 30 months, while those deemed good

Of the 172 schools in East Sussex rated good or higher, 136 were primary schools, and 23 secondary schools.

There were also 12 special schools and one school offering alternative provision graded good or outstanding.

Of the 248 schools in West Sussex rated good or higher, four were nurseries, 195 were primary schools, and 35 secondary schools.

There were also 12 special schools and two schools offering alternative provision graded good or outstanding.

The Department for Education said inspections provide an independent and rounded assessment of schools, which are helpful to both teachers and parents.

A spokeswoman added additional funding would enable Ofsted to inspect all schools between summer 2021 and summer 2025 to provide a complete picture of post-pandemic education.

Ofsted declined to comment.