Up to 40 of the county's schools are failing, with 11 primaries in the most serious special measures category, according to Northamptonshire County Council's latest annual performance assessment.

In a highly critical report, the Government's education watchdog said: "There are far too many schools, especially primary schools, whose performance is causing concern, both to OFSTED and to the council.

"Twenty-two schools are causing concern to OFSTED and a further 16 to 18 are causing concern to the council."

Among the latest schools to join the Government's special measures hitlist is Abington Vale Primary – an over-subscribed school – and Queen Eleanor Primary School, Far Cotton, both in Northampton.

The report at a glance - click here

All schools in England must undergo inspections and those that fail to give pupils an acceptable standard of education are given a grade four rating in their reports and consequently placed into the special measures or notice to improve category.

In their assessment OFSTED inspectors also found levels of exclusions, especially in some Northampton schools, were significantly high and stated both fixed-period and permanent exclusions for secondary schools in 2006 were above the national average along with pupil attendance figures.

County councillor Joan Kirkbride (Con, Bugbrooke) said the majority of schools given poor judgements gained them after the inspection process was tightened September 2005.

School improvements a main priority - click here

She said: "I think the inspection report has been quite a surprise to some of the schools who have been placed into these OFSTED categories."

Paul Burnett, the new director of children and young people's services at the county council, said it was impossible to pinpoint the exact causes for the poor performance of schools.

But he said: "If you look at the individual reports in this category, the quality of leadership, quality of teaching and learning, and effective personalised learning are issues which are common strands.

"We have to find good schools and get them to work alongside schools in challenging circumstances to support and replicate effectively the good progress."

lei.chan@northantsnews.co.uk