North Shropshire primary school celebrates record SATs results

The results at Longlands Community Primary School in Market Drayton were statistically more than twice as good as they were last year, according to the scores.

The overall combined Level 4+ for reading, writing and Maths was 62.5 per cent, up by 38 per cent from last year.

Zillah Cope, is acting head teacher at Longlands which became part of Shrewsbury Academies Trust at the beginning of the year.

“It has been an amazing year for Longlands Community Primary School,” she said.

“Pupils and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the end of Key Stage SATs results reflect the commitment and hard work of both the children and staff at the school.

“Our KS2 combined scores at level 4 and above in Reading, Writing and Maths have improved by a massive 38 per cent on last year’s scores.

“KS1 SATs scores were also up by as much as 27 per cent compared to the scores in 2014.

“The children in Year 1 did very well in the statutory Year 1 Phonics Screening Test scoring 78 per cent collectively as opposed to last year’s score of 70 per cent

“We are very proud of the children and staff at this highly committed and supportive school.”

Grange Primary School, in Shrewsbury, is also part of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, and staff there were also delighted with this year’s SATs results.

KS2 combined scores at levels 2 and 3 in Reading Writing and Maths saw marked progress from last year, and an even bigger jump from the 2013 results.

“We are now about in line with national figures for progress which is a very different position to two years ago when we were significantly below,” said head teacher Marie Sibley.

“Our internal data shows that our current Year 5 pupils are on track to exceed the national average for progress in all areas although as the system for assessing Y6 is changing we are unsure quite what this will look like next year.”

Executive principal of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, Geoff Pettengell, said he was delighted with the progress the two primary schools are making.

He added: “Enormous credit must go to the staff at both Longlands and Grange Primary for their hard work and buying into the new culture which has come with being part of the academy.

“Everyone knows that it’s important neither school stands still and continues to improve and serve its community well.”