The number of schools which are failing to reach minimum standards has risen by a third in one year, the chief inspector of schools said on Wednesday.

Ofsted chief David Bell told the Commons education select committee he was concerned that, 10 years after Ofsted was formed, schools were still failing.

A spokeswoman for the DfES told ePolitix.com: "David Bell has made very clear that it is too early to draw any conclusions from these figures.

" We have cut the number of failing schools and there has been a very significant decrease in number of schools in special measures from 515 in 97/98 to 282 02/03.

"Also instances of schools that consistently have a very high proportion of pupils failing to achieve five or more A*-C grades have been virtually eliminated.

"However, we continue to be relentless in targeting underperformance to raise standards in all schools."

Phil Willis, education spokesman, said: "Every failing school is a tragedy for the children involved.

"In most cases the cause can be pinned down to poor leadership or lack of teaching staff. But it is crucial that the government and LEAs do not come up with mediocre solutions.

"The Headteacher Leadership College must actively support the failing management and a fast track programme must be used to inject new teachers into these schools.

"With the majority of British schools performing superbly it is important that the failing few get all the help needed to join in the success of the rest."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gerald Imison, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com: "Over the past number of years since the departure of Mr Woodhead from Ofsted, there has been increasing confidence from teachers in Ofsted and acceptance of its important contribution to raising standards in schools.

"However, the emphasis placed by MPs and ministers on statistics is not really helpful. As David Bell says, there are a range of reasons why schools fail.

"Some may be nationally related, such as the impact of inadequate funding which may see an increase in schools with problems developing throughout the current year.

"Other problems may be local, such as poor management. What is important is that problems are identified early and solutions quickly implemented.

"Where there is a national issue, such as the overall quality of leadership training. David Bell has a duty to raise it publicly.

"What we must have is a system which ensures the best for every individual school and not get obsessed with statistics and figures.

"This is an unnecessary and unhelpful distraction."