An Ofsted report claims that specialist schools are performing better and improving faster than other schools.

According to the education watchdog, significant improvements have been made in the last three years.

Pupils in specialist schools have performed better at GCSE than pupils in other schools since 1998 and the rate of improvement in results at GCSE continues to be faster in specialist schools than in other schools. A broader choice of lesson options is also helping improvements together with increased numbers participating in extra-curricular activities.

Specialists schools are also providing improved services and resources to the wider community, for example specialist language schools offering language classes to adults.

David Bell, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools said:
"Being a specialist school makes a difference. Working to declared targets, dynamic leadership, a renewed sense of purpose, targeted use of funding and being a contributor to an optimistic network of like-minded schools, all contribute to a climate for improvement and drive forward change."

Despite the good news, Ofsted inspectors found that performance ranged between schools of this kind.