THE number of problem schools in Wiltshire has increased by more than double in the last year, say new council figures.

A total of 41 are now in special measures, have serious weaknesses or are underachieving.

The report from chief education officer Bob Wolfson on the latest figures shows 16 per cent within these categories.

He is reporting to a county council scrutiny committee that one reason for the upsurge is a change in the inspection framework operated by Ofsted.

Another major difficulty he identifies is the problem in recruiting primary school teachers.

He said: "This has acted as a drag on the rate at which some schools have been able to improve."

At the same time, he adds, council policy has been to have a small number of monitoring visits to schools each year compared with neighbouring authorities.

This light touch intervention puts the council in a reactive rather than preventative position, councillors will be told.

The committee will also be told that the present intervention strategy is being constantly evaluated and improved to identify schools needing extra support in order to meet government inspection standards.

At the same time a bid will be made next year for more funds to enable additional support to be offered earlier to schools in difficulty.

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Philip Allnatt said: "The chief education officer has identified just what we have maintained for a long time now there is a need for adequate resources at the centre as well as in the classroom.

"This highlights the fact that education has been underfunded for 20 years locally and nationally. For the children concerned this is a huge problem as they are in school for a relatively short time and what happens to them is so important. It is vital we get hold of this issue as swiftly as possible."

For full league tables, see The Gazette and Herald, edition Thursday, December 7.