The annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills 2012/13

This annual report from the Chief Inspector is underpinned by the findings of more than 8,500 inspections carried out in 2012-13 of schools, adult learning and skills and colleges.

The Chief Inspector points to signs that England's education system is gradually improving.

Nearly eight in ten schools in England are now judged good or better, the highest proportion since Ofsted was founded 20 years ago, with the improvement most marked in primary schools.

The further education and skills sector has also seen improvements with 71% of all providers being judged good or outstanding, a seven per cent increase on the previous year.

The report notes that academies are now well-established with over half of secondary schools now academies.

But three factors are seen to be impeding educational progress: too much mediocre teaching and weak leadership; regional variation in the quality of education; the significant under-achievement of children from low-income families, particularly white children. The report investigates these factors, highlighting good and bad instances and stressing the need for better performance and raising of standards so that all pupils receive the education they deserve.