More success for Shropshire primary schools
New results show that Shropshire primary schools are amongst the best in the region, and achieving well nationally.
Results for last year’s national curriculum tests for 11-year-olds were published today (Thursday 12 December 2013).
The key stage two tables confirm the percentage of children achieving the nationally expected level four or above in reading, writing and mathematics combined, and the percentages of pupils who made expected or better than expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics separately (a calculation based on their prior attainment at the age of seven).
Many primary schools in the Shropshire Council area have achieved above the national average on all measures, and the county’s overall performance was again ahead of national outcomes in a number of key areas.
Reading was again very strong, with 87 per cent of pupils achieving Level Four or above, compared to 83 per cent nationally. Writing was also ahead of the national picture with 84 per cent of pupils achieving or exceeding the expected level, compared to 83 per cent. A similar 84 per cent of pupils reached or surpassed the standard in mathematics, which was the same as pupils nationally.
These outcomes, when compared to the other 13 local authorities in the West Midlands, place Shropshire second in reading, third in writing and third in maths.
There were five Shropshire schools where 100 per cent of their Year 6 pupils achieved Level Four or above in reading, writing and mathematics (Beckbury CE, Bryn Offa CE, Condover CE, St Mary’s CE Bucknell and Stottesdon CE) and nine where all pupils made at least two levels progress in all three subjects (Bishop Hooper CE, Condover CE, Criftins CE, Highley, Lower Heath CE, St Mary’s CE Bucknell, Shifnal, Stottesdon CE and Welshampton CE).
Stottesdon CE was also one of the most improved schools, with a 22 per cent increase in the proportion of pupils attaining or exceeding the expected level in all subjects when compared to 2012. Other schools with significant improvement were Mereside CE (22 per cent), St Laurence CE Ludlow (24 per cent), Broseley CE (25 per cent), and most improved was Beckbury CE (43 per cent).
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, praised the efforts of children, teachers, schools and Shropshire’s wider school communities for their hard work.
She said:
“It is always pleasing when children’s achievement can be celebrated. We have highly committed school staff who ensure that children get the best possible start to their education and, whilst the levels they achieve in reading, writing and mathematics are only part of the picture, it is good to see Shropshire again riding high in the West Midlands.
“The proportion of pupils attaining expected levels again exceeded national expectation in the key skills of reading and writing, and was similar to expectation in maths. This provides pupils with a firm foundation on which to build their future educational success.”
