THE stunning performance of primary schools in this year’s SATs has put Bolton in the top third of all local authorities in the country.

Bolton was ranked 50th out of 152 councils for the numbers of pupils achieving level four in both English and maths in their key stage two of the national curriculum tests.

Many primary schools recorded their bestever results while five schools recorded a perfect pass rate of 100 per cent.

And 81 per cent of year six — which was up on the previous year — achieved the grade compared to 79 per cent nationally.

Children achieving the more challenging level five was in line with the national average of 27 per cent.

St Saviour CE Primary School in Ringley posted a perfect 100 per cent and 55 per cent of pupils there achieved level five in their exams.

Ian Southern, head of St Saviour CE Primary, said: “We are delighted to have contributed to the continued success within Bolton authority and our cluster of schools.

“St Saviour’s results continue to reflect the hard work of our children, staff, governors and parents.

“We are very pleased with all our results, especially our level five plus and outstanding average points score.” The borough was placed fifth for its performance in the Greater Manchester authorities, above neighbouring Bury.

The national picture showed the number of primary schools failing to give pupils a good grounding in the three Rs has halved in just a year.

Under Government targets, schools are considered failing if fewer than 60 per cent of 11-year-olds reach the expected standard — level four — in English and maths SATs tests and fewer youngsters make two levels of progress in these subjects than the national average.

Of those 521 schools which are below the bar, 45 have already closed with 37 becoming academies. Plodder Lane Primary School in Farnworth was closed because of its performance and The Ferns Academy reopened on the site.