Last updated at 17:49, Thursday, 13 December 2012

PRIMARY headteachers have congratulated pupils on good performances in national tests – but they are united in the view that SATs do not show the whole picture of a school.

• SATS table 2012

The government has today published the Key Stage Two results for schools across England.

The National Curriculum tests were taken by more than 4,800 Year Six pupils in Cumbria in May. These pupils moved up to secondary schools in September.

The Department for Education expects 11-year-olds to reach at least a Level Four in the attainment tests, which include English and maths.

Across the North-West Evening Mail readership area seven schools saw every child achieve a Level Four or above in English and Maths. They were; Pennington CE School; Low Furness CE Primary School, Great Urswick; Haverigg Primary School; Penny Bridge CE School; Leven Valley CE Primary School; Cartmel CE Primary School; and St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, Windermere.

Derek Gaydon, headteacher of Pennington CE School, said children perform exceptionally well across the school activities, including sport and the creative arts. Five members of the successful Year Six class were also crowned national swimming champions in the summer.

Mr Gaydon said: “We offer a very broad curriculum and we have excellent teachers and support staff.

“I would rather SATs did not take place, as we do our assessments. SATs give a very narrow picture of a school. They are a one-off. They do not show off creativity.”

Janice Brockbank, headteacher of Haverigg School, said: “The year group was a wonderful group of children who all worked together, helped one another and responded positively to all the opportunities on offer at Haverigg School.”

Speaking about the tests, Mrs Brockbank said: “They are only a little part of the work that goes on in school.”

She said the children leave with strong basic skills, confidence and the ability to work independently, from the excellent learning throughout their time in school and the support of the whole school community.

Two of the highest performing schools in Barrow borough were St Columba’s Catholic Primary School, on Walney, and Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, in Dalton.

At the Walney primary, all the children reached at least the expected level in English, and 97 per cent of the group achieved the level in maths.

At the Dalton school, all the children reached a Level Four or above in maths, and 94 per cent of children reached the level in English.

Nicola Rielly, headteacher of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, said: “As a school we were very pleased with our 2012 results because each pupil was proud and delighted with their results.

“At Our Lady’s we place great emphasis on creativity throughout all curriculum areas, not just numeracy and literacy.

“This creativity continues to provide each pupil with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence to engage, enjoy and achieve their best. Our Ofsted inspection report in June acknowledged this, stating: ‘The school curriculum is excellent for it enhances the social, moral and cultural development of the pupils’.”

First published at 16:08, Thursday, 13 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk