Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills - inspects and reports on anywhere that provides education for young people in England, including schools, nurseries and childminders.
Schools or organisations are inspected every four years or 30 months depending on their status, and are then graded accordingly:
- 1 - outstanding
- 2 - good
- 3 - requires improvement
- 4 - inadequate
Many parents rely on Ofsted ratings to help them choose a school or nursery.
Ofsted also inspects some independent schools in England, while others are assessed by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
During an Ofsted visit - which can last up to two days - inspectors observe lessons and talk to staff and pupils.
Here are the primary schools in and around Blackpool that "require improvement", according to Ofsted:
- 1 - outstanding
- 2 - good
- 3 - requires improvement
- 4 - inadequate