THE best performing primary schools have been revealed as figures show the number of children in Bolton mastering the 3Rs has soared.

The Department for Education has published its annual primary school 'league' tables detailing each school's results in the national curriculum tests, taken at the end of Year Six.

In Bolton, 61 per cent of children achieved the grade in the reading, writing and maths — an increase on last year when pupils were the first to be tested on a new national curriculum brought in to 'raise expectations'. A number of schools celebrated both outstanding results and the progress children have made since starting primary school.

Click below for the full primary school league table for Bolton

bl1.pdf *

The achievement matches the national average exactly.

The Key Stage Two SATs tests were changed last year and in line with the national trend Bolton's results dipped in the summer of 2016 from 82 per cent to 56 per cent of children achieving the required standard in reading, writing and maths, but was still three per cent higher than the 2016 national average.

This year, Bolton's overall results were in line with the national average — but the individual scores for writing, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling beat the national average.

Reading results were below the national average, with 69 per cent reaching the standard compared to 72 per cent.

Children at six schools made outstanding progress in all subjects. The progress scores — which measure how far children have come since starting school — of Johnson Fold Primary School, Eatock Primary School, Highfield Primary School, St Bede Academy, St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School, and Kearsley West Primary School were classed as 'well above average'.

There were more than a dozen schools where the progress of children was well below average in at least one subject.

Cabinet member for education, schools and safeguarding children, Cllr Ann Cunliffe said: “We’re delighted to say that 61 per cent of primary school pupils in the borough achieved the expected level of reading, writing and mathematics compared to 56 per cent last year. This shows an improvement has been made locally and our attainment is in line with the national and North West average. In addition, when compared to our statistical neighbours, we are above their average of 57.8 per cent.

“I’d like to congratulate all our schools for their attainment, and say how proud I am of each and every primary school pupil and their individual achievements at the end of Key Stage Two.

Headteachers, husband and wife Rob and Ruth Dean found themselves at the top of the table for their respective schools.

St Thomas's CE Primary School, in Westhoughton led by Mr Dean, was number one for its results in reading, writing and maths, with 94 per cent of children passing all three subjects. The school also posted a perfect 100 per cent pass rate in maths; and grammar, punctuation and spelling. For reading the results were 94 per cent and in writing a near perfect 97 per cent made the grade.

The school also jumped up 33 places to claim the number one spot.

Mr Dean said: "We are really proud of our achievements.

"We had a fantastic group of children last year who worked really well, with the staff in school, to achieve the best they could.

"Everything came together just at the right time. Hopefully this will inspire the rest of the children in our school to continue doing the best they can."

Johnson Fold Primary School, led by Mrs Dean, was the number one school for the progress children made in maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Mrs Dean said: "We are extremely proud of all our achievements here at Johnson Fold. It is all made possible through the hard work, perseverance and commitment from both staff and children. It is very much a team effort - working together as "Partners in Progress" in order "To be the best that we can be".

Outstanding results were also posted by Highfield Primary School in Farnworth, which was placed third in the borough for its results. Last year it was 21 in Bolton. Children also made 'well above average progress' in every subject.

Headteacher David Glyn-Jones said: "Our continued excellent results this year are a wonderful reflection of the children’s love of learning, the hard work and dedication of all our staff and the invaluable support of our parents.

"At Highfield, our motto is 'Happy Children Learn Well' and this is reflected in our vibrant school community and the engagement and motivation of the children in their learning experiences.

"We are delighted with these results, which the children have fully deserved for their hard work, resilience and enthusiasm.

"A massive thanks to all our staff for their unwavering determination in supporting our children to believe that they can achieve wonderful things."

At St Saviour's CE Primary School, in Ringley, every single child passed their maths test as well and made the grade in grammar, punctuation and spelling. The perfect 100 per cent results comes just weeks after the same Year Six class won The Bolton News School Award for Class of the Year.

Headteacher Ian Southern said: "We are all delighted and proud at St Saviours with the children's achievements.

"They reflect the very hard work put in by the class and staff, as well as the great support provided by the parents and families."

Eatock Primary School in Westhoughton was top of the table for the progress its pupils made for reading.

Headteacher Ann Flannery said: "Eatock has a fabulous team who are strongly committed to our mission statement of ‘giving wings to fly.’

"Ensuring the progress of all our children, whatever their starting points or barriers, underpins the ethos and culture of our school. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of the staff team, parents, governors and of course the children."

Children at St Peter and Paul's RC Primary School also made well above average progress in all their subjects.

Headteacher Trish Grogan said: "We are so proud of our children's magnificent achievement. The school curriculum is designed to develop and enhance our children's skills preparing them for lifelong learning.

"St Peter and St Paul's RC has an amazing team of staff and governors who care about the 'whole child', inspiring our children, bring out the very best in every single one of them.

"Parents and carers going above and beyond to support everything we do in school.

"But the most most important are the children. They are so amazing and never cease to amaze me. We aim to give them the best start in life and every opportunity."

*Key 

A: Published eligible pupil number

B: Percentage of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading

C: Percentage of pupils reaching the expected standard in maths

D: Percentage of pupils reaching the expected standards in writing

E: Percentage of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths

F: Pupils reaching a higher score in reading, maths and working a greater depth in writing

G: School rankings based on the percentage of children reaching the standards in reading, maths and writing

For details of neighbouring authority schools visit https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/