A primary school in Bolton has been placed in the top one per cent of schools in the country for its results in developing the key skills needed for young people to achieve.

Hardy Mill Primary School in Harwood recorded a perfect 100 per cent score in the phonics screening check, with every Year One pupil meeting the expected standard.

The school received a letter from Damian Hinds, Minister of Schools congratulating staff and pupils on their outstanding results.

The Bolton News: Letter

Headteacher Jo Briggs said: “We were absolutely delighted with our phonics results at the end of the last academic year and were thrilled to receive the letter from Damian Hinds recognising our achievement.

"The staff team work exceptionally hard to enable the best possible outcomes for our children and recognise the importance of early reading for our children’s future learning prospects.”

In the letter, Mr Hinds states: "We want to ensure every child develops a firm grasp of phonics as the basis on which to improve standards of reading. As such I was delighted to see your results.

"With 100 per cent of pupils in Year One at Hardy Mill Primary School meeting the expected standard in the check, your school is in the top one per cent of all primary schools in the country."

He goes on to say: "Your particular success in teaching phonics and early reading so effectively means your pupils are developing a firm foundation from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.

"I would like to thank you for your commitment and success in this vital area of a child's early education and congratulate you, your staff and pupils on all you have achieved."

According to the latest figures, 83 per cent of pupils who met the standard in the phonics check went to achieve at least the standards expected of pupils at they leave primary school to go on to the next step of their education.

Hardy Mill is an Ofsted rated good school and inspectors stated following their last visit: "Leaders’ ambition to develop successful, independent and motivated learners, and for every child to be the best they can be, characterises the school’s ethos. The overwhelmingly positive comments from parents and carers show this to be the case. Many parents refer to how well their children are learning and how the and lessons inspire and motivate their children."