Gloucestershire pupils top at SATs

The county's 11-year-olds continue to ride high in the league tables for standard assessment tests (Sats) published today.

Gloucestershire's schools have come 25th of 150 local education authorities in England for their key stage two results.

Students in the county beat the national average with their achievements in English, maths and science.

In their English exams, 84 per cent of students in Gloucestershire achieved a level four pass, compared with 80 per cent nationally.

In maths, the figure was 81 per cent compared with 79 per cent nationally and in science 91 per cent achieved level four, compared with 88 per cent around the country.

Eight schools in the county achieved the highest results possible, with 100 per cent in all three subjects.

Achievers

Among them were Ashchurch Primary, in Tewkesbury, Gretton Primary, near Winchcombe, and Cirencester schools Meysey Hampton CofE and Stratton CofE.

Despite the good news, many headteachers called for the controversial Sats exams to be scrapped.

The Government has already dropped the exams for 14-year-olds, but not 11-year-olds.

A demonstration by two of the country's biggest teaching unions is set to take place in Gloucester city centre on Saturday.

The National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Headteachers will gather to call for a boycott of the controversial exams.

Richard Gibson, head of Ashchurch Primary, said: "We're really happy with the results. It's down to hard work from pupils and the determination of teachers. However, I find them ridiculous. A new system needs to be put in place because of the detrimental impact they have on pupils.

"The Government needs to address this issue. Although I'm happy with where we are, the Sats and the league tables are not a true reflection of the school and its children."

Phil Aldridge, head of Naunton Park Primary in Cheltenham, agreed. Ninety four per cent of pupils there achieved level four in English, 92 per cent in maths and 96 per cent in science.

Mr Aldridge said: "We've consistently done well over the past five years, so I speak from a position of strength. Sats are only part of each school's story.

"I wouldn't want any parent to choose a school based on this data alone. We place a great deal of emphasis on creativity and personal and social development.

"Sats purport to measure how well children are doing, but in reality this isn't the case because of how crude they are. On-going teacher assessment is far more reliable."

Tony Sutcliffe, head at Glenfall Primary in Cheltenham, which achieved a 94 per cent pass rate at level four English, 90 per cent in maths and 97 per cent in science, said: "We're very pleased because of the hard work put in by children to achieve this. Sats are not the only measure of success. There's a lot more to it than that.

"There has to be some form of assessment, but whether these tests are the best way of showing that, I'm not sure."

Gotherington Primary was another high flier with a 97 per cent pass rate in all three subjects.

Headteacher Ben Jordan said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the results and proud of the children."

Gretton Primary scored 100 per cent across the board.

Headteacher Cheryl Cuthbertson said: "I'm very pleased with the hard work of everyone involved. This is about knowing what the children need and want to do."

At Holy Apostles in Cheltenham, where 100 per cent of pupils gained level four in maths and science and 96 per cent in English, headteacher Gareth Davies said: "We're delighted with the results. The children have done extremely well and it's down to diligent support from teachers.

"It's well deserved. Sats are something we have to do – as long as they are not the sole means of looking at a school's performance and that of its children, they can be useful."

Bourton-on-theWater Primary also did well with 100 per cent gaining level four science, 95 per cent English and 85 per cent maths.

Headteacher John Jones said: "The children worked extremely hard for this. They had lots of support from parents and staff, who work constantly to boost their self-confidence.

"We're piloting single-level tests now which allow teachers to judge when pupils are ready, and we've found them enormously beneficial."

Coun Jackie Hall, the county council's cabinet leader for schools, said: "I'm pleased to see that once again Gloucestershire's results are ahead of the national average. Congratulations to our pupils, teachers and parents for all their hard work."

OPINION, P8