SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES: Best performing primary schools revealed

The Department for Education has published its annual primary school "league" tables based on each school's results in the Key Stage Two SATs ­— the national curriculum tests taken by pupils at the end of Year Six.

Children in Bolton outsmarted their peers nationally in the controversial SATs.

In Bolton 66 per cent of children achieved the grade in reading, writing and maths, which was above the national average of 64 per cent.

Click below for the full primary school league table for Bolton. 

Primary School performance table 2018.pdf

The results, which were in line with the national average last year, were four per cent up on 2017 and eight per cent up on 2016, showing schools are getting to grips with the new primary school curriculum.

And overall children in Bolton made above average progress during their time in school.

Those achieving at a higher standard stood at 10 per cent in line with the national average, which was two per cent up on last year.

Individual schools celebrated outstanding results, with some recording a huge rise in results taking them to the top of Bolton's primary school league table.

At the top of the table was St James' CE Primary School in Daisy Hill, where 91 per cent of children reached the expected standard which was up by a staggering 30 per cent on last year. And 20 per cent of children ­— double the national and local average ­— achieved the higher standard. Last year nine per cent of children at the school reached the higher standard.

In 2017, the school was ranked 49.

Catherine Watkin, head of St James' CE School, Daisy Hill, said: "We have a fantastic team at St James. Everyone is committed to ensuring that the children achieve their very best and this year the children achieved outstanding results.

"The curriculum that we have at St James is designed to ensure that all of our children experience a broad, exciting and engaging range of learning opportunities as they progress through school.

"Developing their basic skills in literacy and mathematics is, of course, of the utmost importance, but we do not place sole emphasis on this.

"The children’s progress and learning in reading, writing and maths goes hand in hand with their development in all other areas of the curriculum and, as a result of this, we see very strong achievement."

She added: "I would like to congratulate all of the children on their fantastic results this year and thank the staff team, our parents, carers and the governors of the school for their continued work, support and commitment to St James. I’m so proud of everyone!"

The top five schools also included St Thomas' CE Primary School, Westhoughton, Claypool Primary School in Horwich, Lostock Primary School and Eatock Primary School.

Children made well above average progress in all the 3Rs at three schools ­— St Bede Academy, Morris Green, St Mary's CE School in Deane and Oxford Grove Primary School in Halliwell.

These scores show how much progress pupils at this school made in reading, writing and maths between the end of Key Stage One and the end of Key Stage Two, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of Key Stage One.

Sarah Rostron, head of St Bede Academy said: "We are extremely proud of the progress that the children made last year.

"This is a result of the children's hard work and commitment.

"We are privileged to have such inspiring teachers and a dedicated staff at St Bede who all ensure that the children experience a rich and exciting curriculum.

"Without such a wonderful staff and dedicated parents, the children wouldn't make the progress that they do. They often join the school below age related expectations and progress to achieve age related expectation or beyond."

Washacre Primary School was placed bottom of Bolton's table for mainstream schools. Only a third of pupils ­— 33 per cent ­— at the school reached the expected level in reading, writing and maths. Children made average progress in all the three core subjects.

Nationally the number of schools considered to be under-performing has decreased, 364 mainstream primaries in England fell below the primary school floor standard.

Schools are considered to be under-performing if fewer than 65 per cent of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, or if they fail to make sufficient progress in the three key areas.