Schools minister Dennis Wiersma has decided to stop branding schools which are highly praised by school inspectors as ‘excellent’, after MPs voted in favour of a motion to scrap the concept.

The system was introduced in 2012 in an effort to stimulate schools to excel with an ‘inspiring, innovative and motivating educational programme, or which take a standout approach to a specific group of pupils.’

The system allowed schools which had been labelled as ‘good’ by inspectors to apply to describe themselves as ‘excellent’, a request which is looked at by an independent panel.

Wiersma said he had decided to stop the branding programme because it risks exacerbating differences between schools and could simulate ‘undesirable competition’ between them.

‘Every child has a right to a good education which is why I want to stimulate all schools to rise above the minimum standard,’ Wiersma said. He told MPs he is now looking into new methods to achieve this.

The last ‘excellent’ school certificates will be handed out in June and will remain valid for three years. The final ceremony will go ahead to recognise the efforts of both schools and the jury, Wiersma said. In total, 51 schools have applied to be recognised as excellent this year. Last year, 43 schools were given the title.