Shropshire primary schools amongst the best in the region

New results show that Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin primary schools are amongst the best in the region, and achieving well nationally.

A new assessment system without levels was introduced this year with pupils taking new, more rigorous SATs tests last summer. These tests are more demanding than previous years, with more expected of pupils.

The key stage two tables confirm the percentage of children achieving the nationally expected standard or above in reading, writing and mathematics combined, and the average progress scores achieved in reading, writing and mathematics separately (a calculation based on national prior attainment groups at the age of seven).

Many primary schools in the Shropshire Council area have achieved above the national average on all measures.

Reading was again very strong, with 68 per cent of pupils achieving at least the expected standard, compared to 66 per cent nationally. Writing was just below the national average, with 65 per cent of pupils achieving or exceeding the expected standard. 69 per cent of pupils reached or surpassed the standard in mathematics, which was very close to pupils nationally.

These outcomes, when compared to the other 13 local authorities in the West Midlands, place Shropshire fourth in both reading and in mathematics. When compared to 10 other similar local authorities Shropshire was ranked third in reading and second in mathematics.

Karen Bradshaw, director of children’s services with Shropshire Council, praised the efforts of children, teachers, schools and Shropshire’s wider school communities for their hard work.
She said:

“This was a particularly challenging year for both pupils and staff due to the considerable changes in assessment. We have highly committed school staff who ensure that children get the best possible start to their education and, whilst the standards 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 the new, more demanding expected standard exceeded national expectation in the key skill of reading and was similar to expectation in writing and maths. This provides pupils with a firm foundation on which to build their future educational success.”

Figures show that 56 per cent of primary school pupils in Telford and Wrekin have achieved the new Expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage Two. The English average is 53 per cent and the West Midlands average is 51 per cent.

Primary schools in the borough have outperformed many schools across the West Midlands with only Solihull (which gained 58%) and Warwickshire (which gained 57%) exceeding Telford and Wrekin’s results.

In Telford and Wrekin, pupils achieved the following:

• 70 per cent of pupils achieved the Expected standard in Reading (compared with national average of 66 per cent),
• 74 per cent achieved the Expected standard in Writing (which is the same as the national average
• 71 per cent achieved the Expected standard in Mathematics (compared with national average of 70 percent)

Councillor Gilly Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Education, said: “We can be very proud of these results which show that our primary school pupils are performing extremely well.

“It is important to reiterate that these results can not be compared to previous years because of the new system. The new curriculum is more challenging for pupils but the government has said schools have responded well to the higher demand.

“The fact that in Telford and Wrekin we have exceeded the national and regional average is fantastic news and I would like to say well done and thank you to pupils, staff, governors and parents.

“I am very proud that 96 per cent of our primary schools in Telford and Wrekin are now rated either good or outstanding.”