INSPECTORS are to be sent into a council in the south amid concerns that they are failing to help their schools raise standards, Ofsted has announced.

The Isle of Wight Council faces a visit next week in a bid to find out why there are high numbers of under-performing schools in these areas, the watchdog said.

It will be the first time Ofsted has examined how a local authority is helping schools improve.

Ofsted said the five-day visits will look at whether the councils are offering enough support and challenge to their schools, and promoting high standards and fair access for all pupils.

Chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said too many schools on the island were “failing to provide a standard of education that children deserve”.

He added that recent school inspections on the island had raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the local authority’s support.

“In both cases, many school leaders have expressed the view that their local authority is not doing enough to challenge their institutions to improve,” he said.

Councillor Richard Priest, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children's services, said: ''There is a clear need for improvement in this area and that is why, with the support of the Department for Education, we are developing a partnership with Hampshire County Council designed to raise the quality of education on the island as quickly as possible.

''The council's interim lead for schools has already undertaken a lot of work with colleagues here and in both Hampshire and Ofsted but if this inspection is going to help us identify and prioritise further work that needs to be undertaken under our emerging partnership then it is to be welcomed.''