LOCAL headteachers have praised the performance of their year 6 students following the publication of the Primary School League Tables last month.
The information, published by the Department for Education, is based on how 11-year-olds in schools across England performed in national curriculum tests – or Sats – taken at the end of primary school.
Topping the tables in Westbury was Westbury Junior School, where 66% of year 6 students met the expected standard across all tests – reading, writing and mathematics – at the end of the school year in 2019.
In comparison, 65% of year 6 students across England met the expected standard; whilst 64% met the expected standard in Wiltshire.
Headteacher Richard Hatt told White Horse News, “I have to say that this has been years in the making – so I want to say a huge thank you to the staff of the school, at all levels, who have enabled last year’s year 6 to do so well. We are so proud of what they have achieved and as head, I am really proud of the staff. And we’ve maintained this level for the past three years.
“We are now looking forward to 2020 and keeping this standard up. At the start of the school year in September. I knew that these results were in the offing, so I stood up at the school inset day and said to staff that we mustn’t be complacent, we must try to be even better this year.”
At Bratton Primary School, 53% of its year 6 students met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. Headteacher, Ian Bolton said, “As a school we were proud of our year 6 cohort’s performance in their individual subjects, especially with our impressive greater depth performance in reading and above national average performance in writing.
“74% of our children achieved the expected standard in maths, with 11% working at greater depth, 68% reached the expected standard in reading, with 32% of them working at greater depth and 79% reached the expected standard in writing. This resulted in an overall performance of 53% of our pupils working at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, meaning we have prioritised improving this combined subject performance measure in the coming 2020 assessments.”
50% of year 6 students at Bitham Brook Primary School met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. Headteacher, Gareth Simons said, “Although I have only been here for a short time, I already know the school has many, many qualities and strengths that make Bitham Brook a great place for children to be and a community that we are all very proud of.
“The governors and staff are working hard to strengthen our curriculum to ensure all children are given the chance to reach their potential.”
53% of year 6 students at Westbury Leigh Primary School met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. School business manager, Anna Thurman said, “Westbury Area Schools Partnership collectively works together for the benefit of all schools in the area. We recognise the diversity in our community and are committed to supporting and developing positive outcomes for every child in our care.
“Academic excellence is part of this drive and all schools are fully aware of what the needs of each year group are and are working hard to address this. Our strong partnerships with our communities form the basis of our continued improvement.”
59% of year 6 students at Dilton Marsh Primary School met the expected standards in reading, writing and maths – the school declined to comment.
