Primary schools in Barking and Dagenham have been rated as London’s worst by Ofsted.

The borough’s primary schools also lie in the bottom 20 per cent of national education league tables, according to new data released by the education body.

The figures contrast hugely with the rest of London’s schools, many of which are the strongest performing in the country.

More than three-quarters of the borough’s primary schools were rated “good” or “outstanding” which is a three per cent decrease on last year’s figures.

This places Barking and Dagenham behind neighbouring London boroughs in the league tables.

In comparison, 90pc of Tower Hamlet primary schoolchildren and 82pc of Newham primary pupils are in “good” or “outstanding” schools.

Mike Sheridan, London Regional Director of Ofsted said more needed to be done although there were “green shoots” of improvement.

He said: “There are some fantastic schools in Barking and Dagenham but there some mediocre ones which are letting down their young people.

“My advice to schools which are not yet good in Barking and Dagenham is to engage with others. Invite great leaders from other schools to challenge you and help you improve. Take advantage of the myriad of charities that exist in London to support schools to improve. Have the highest expectations for your young people and take the offers of help, support and challenge to make your school the best it can be.”

He also cited increasing population, increasing population mobility, greater ethnic diversity and increasing poverty. as challenges although noted “none of these is accepted by officers and elected members as a barrier to educational achievement”.

Barking and Dagenham’s secondary schools performed better with 82pc of pupils attending “good” or “outstanding” schools, an 8pc increase on last year.