PRIMARY schools in Worcestershire have improved pupil performances in English and maths.

In the latest key stage two performance tables, published today, they show how primary schools are performing in the key areas of English, maths and science.

The county was 82nd out of 151, compared to 98th last year. The ranking is only based on English and maths, and Worcestershire fared just one below the national average of 71 per cent of pupils hitting the required standard.

There was plenty to celebrate in the county, though, with two schools getting 100 per cent of pupils through at level four or above in the three core subjects, English, maths and science – the Government’s standard benchmark for pupil performance.

In Worcestershire the average was 77 per cent for maths (two per cent lower than the national average), 89 per cent for science (against 88 per cent) and 80 per cent for English, the same as nationally.

Teachers and pupils at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary in Pershore were among those celebrating top marks, and their average point score of 32.4 across the three main subjects meant they were one of the highest in the county.

The average for Worcestershire was 27.8, while for the country it was 27.9 per cent.

The schools’ aggregate across the three core subjects was also one of the top for this year, at 300, the same as last year, and the school’s value added score, or CVA, which takes into account the social make-up of the school, was 102.9, also one of the highest.

Holy Redeemer headteacher Hilary Rowlands said their Ofsted result in June had ratedthem outstanding, and they were happy this had continued with their KS2 results.

She said: “It is a lot of work from the teachers, supportive parents and motivated children which means this school really works.”

Another school which got 100 per cent in the three core subjects was Leigh and Bransford Primary, near Malvern.

Its average point score was 31, with its aggregate in the three core subjects jumping 27 places from last year to 300, also one of the county’s best. It also had a CVA of 100.6.

Headteacher Stuart Bill said: “It shows how gifted the pupils are are and the staff have worked exceptionally hard with them to make sure they realise their potential.”

One of the lowest scores in the county was Gorse Hill Community Primary in Tolladine, Worcester, which came out of special measures last June. Despite a good value-added score of 98.9, the same as in April, the average point score was one of the lowest at 25.7, although this is an improvement on 24.3 last time.

The number of pupils achieving level four in the subject has improved from less than half to 58 per cent.

No one from the school was available to comment.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people (aged 0-11 years), said he was pleased with the results.

“We recognise there's room for improvement and are as committed as ever to improving education to make things even better for children in Worcestershire,” he said.

• Click below for the full table.
primary_leaguetables_2009.pdf