The council will speed up its improvement plans for schools after the latest Ofsted results showed a “disappointing” number of students in good or outstanding schools.

The figures showed that Havering primary schools were ranked 132 out of 152 authorities whilst secondary schools placed 139 out of 152.

In reaction to the data the council has appointed new senior managers responsible for education and has introduced an “enhanced system of rigorous performance monitoring”.

Havering council plans to meet with headteachers and governors in the new year to help push the new strategy forward.

Despite the poor results there has been a slight improvement as shown by an eight per cent increase in the number of pupils in good or outstanding primary and secondary schools since last year.

The department of education’s most recent attainment figures also showed the borough’s primary schools are among the best in the country for literacy and numeracy at age 11.

Cllr Robert Benham, cabinet member for children and learning, said:“Although we’re extremely disappointed by these figures, our reinvigorated approach to school improvement and our work with other partners has injected a sense of urgency and pace into our drive to raise standards.

“Havering’s primary pupils are in the top five per cent nationally for reading, writing and maths at age 11.

“A-level pupils achieved a pass rate of 99.9pc and the percentage of young people entering into further education, employment or training at age 16, is amongst the highest in London.”