Primary school celebrates perfect score six years after worst results

Thornhill Primary school has secured top marks in across the board as the primary school league tables published today shows them sitting top of the pile.

It is a vast improvement from where they were six years ago when the school was languishing among the worst performing schools in the city.

Two years ago it was named the most improved in the country and today it can celebrate the fact that each and every one of its Year six pupils hit the government target in reading, writing and maths in 2015.

Commonly knowns as SATS, today sees the publication the Key Stage Two results, which are tests taken by every child at the end of their primary school education.

The tests measure academic ability as well as recording how much each children has progressed whilst in their first phase of education.

At Thornhill youngsters also made the expected two levels of progress whilst at the Byron Road school - another key government benchmark

Proud headteacher Kerry Stamp said: "I am delighted that yet again, our children have significantly achieved above the targets set for them by the government.

"Teaching at the school is consistently excellent. The opportunities they receive ensure that they are immersed in rich experiences that broaden their horizons and therefore aspiration and high expectations grows with them, as they move through the school. The Year 6 from 2015, were motivated, hard working and a pleasure to teach. Learning for them was addictive and they worked their socks off! We know they left us more than ready for the next stage of their education and have bright futures ahead of them.

"Despite the fact that over 50 per cent of pupils are disadvantaged and the school is in the highest category of deprivation in the country, these results show you cannot put a ceiling on what children can do! Everyone at Thornhill is 'Working together to be the best we can be' and I am extremely proud to be the Headteacher of such an amazing school.

Thornhill was one of a number of schools who hit and exceeded government targets in Southampton as the city overall saw 80 per cent of children reach the expected government target of level four in reading, writing and maths - in line with the national average.

Councillor Dan Jeffery, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Social Care said: “It’s great to see that the achievements of school pupils in Southampton at Key Stage Two level remain in line with the national averages. I’d like to thank our teachers and schools’ employees who work collaboratively to deliver good outcomes for the city’s children and young people.”

Across the border in Hampshire schools collecting posted improved scores with 83 per cent of the county's children reaching the target level, a percent point increase on last year.

On the Isle of Wight 78 per cent of pupils made the expected grade.

Councillor Peter Edgar, Executive Member for Education at Hampshire County Council, said: “I am extremely proud of all Hampshire school children’s achievement in this year’s Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests and those children, who have now started their secondary education, should be congratulated and praised. Hampshire 11 year olds continue to do very well in our schools with 83% achieving level 4 or better in reading, writing and maths this year against a national average of 80%. It is testament to the quality of teaching and standard of schools that we have in Hampshire, that 84 per cent of our primary schools are rated as good or outstanding. I can confirm that there are great schools in every Hampshire district where more than 90 per cent of Year 6 pupils achieved Level 4 in reading, writing and mathematics and in an increasing number of the county’s primary schools, all the children achieved this benchmark. Year on year, the percentage of Hampshire pupils achieving Level 4 grows and schools are consistently performing above the national average and better than other areas which are similar to Hampshire. This is excellent news and teaching staff and pupils have been justly rewarded for their hard work. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the role of the Authority in continuing to provide the highest quality support and challenge to schools in their sustained drive to provide the highest standard of education.”

Along with Thornhill St Mary's Church of England school also recorded record breaking results with 100 per cent of its children reaching the target level and every child also making the expected level of progress whilst at the Ascupart Street school.

Bitterne Church of England school also recorded results in the high nineties whilst staff and pupils at Ludlow Junior school were also pleased with their achievement.

Headteacher Simon Watkins said: "We are pleased that the progress and attainment is continuing to rise. Well Done to the whole school community."

It was a job well done for scores of schools around Hampshire with many also exceeding government targets.

At Merdon Junior school in Chandler's Ford pupils and staff worked to produce even better results than last year. They have continued to improve after only a few years ago being categorised as failing by Ofsted inspectors.

Now they are rated as a good school - with results to match.

Headteacher Jo Walker said: "We are really pleased with the results which shows on going improvement along with the quality of teaching.

We have a strong team here and the children are really geared towards their learning due to, what we believe, is an exciting and engaging curriculum.

"Achieving the targets means that our children now have that stepping stone and are ready for the next part of their education."

At Waterside Primary pupils also posted improved results on last year, headteacher Penny Bullough said: " We are really proud of the children in last year’s cohort who achieved good results through making particularly good progress. My thanks to the staff who worked with the children throughout their seven years in Waterside, and to the parents and families who supported them in their learning."