The number of independent schools judged “inadequate” by Ofsted continues to rise, new figures reveal.

Fifteen per cent of non-association independent schools - 143 schools in total - were rated “inadequate” in their most recent inspections: an increase of two percentage points since figures were last published in July.

In August 2014, only 4 per cent - 43 schools - were judged “inadequate”.

New independent school standards were introduced by the Department for Education in September 2014 and supplemented in January 2015.

Ineffective

Ofsted inspects those independent schools that are not members of associations such as the Independent Schools Council, which conduct their own inspections. These schools, of which there were 1,096 at 31 December 2017, are known as non-association independent schools.

Inspectors also found that safeguarding was ineffective in 14 per cent of these schools.

And more than a quarter (28 per cent) failed to meet the government’s independent-school standards regulations.

The majority of schools - 53 per cent - were rated “good” in their latest inspection. This is a decrease of two percentage points since the last figures were published.

Fourteen per cent achieved an “outstanding” rating - and 18 per cent were deemed to require improvement. These figures have remained stable since July.

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