PRIMARY schools in Bolton have once again proved they are a class act when it comes to teaching the 3Rs.

Results published today by the Department for Education show that Bolton improved on its excellent performance in the key stage two SATs exams last year and continued its tradition of smashing the national average.

Overall, 81 per cent of children left primary school having achieved at least the required standard in reading, writing and maths – two per cent better than last year – which was better than the national average of 79 per cent.

A quarter of all children left school having mastered the more challenging level five whereas nationally that figure was 24 per cent.

Margaret Asquith, Bolton Council's director of childrens' and adult services, said: “Once again our primary school pupils have performed excellently in their Key Stage 2 (KS2) results and have even improved on last year’s fantastic results.

“These results show that our Year Six pupils are performing at a higher level than their peers across the country on average and they should be proud of their achievements.

"We are also proud of the hard work undertaken by teachers, school staff and parents, who all contribute to the pupils’ attainment, and their commitment to achieving these results is to be commended.

The performance “league” tables detail how every school did in the national curriculum tests taken in the summer by final year primary pupils.

Mrs Asquith added: “While overall attainment at KS2 has improved and continues to be above the national average, we recognise the hard work required to sustain pupils’ progress and we will continue to work with all our schools to drive up standards.”

As well as the overall record breaking result, schools were celebrating individual successes where in some cases the pass rate had soared BY as much as 29 per cent.

Top of this year’s primary school league was Sacred Heart RC School in Westhoughton with a perfect 100 per cent pass rate.

St Saviour CE Primary School in Ringley was the best performing school for the numbers of pupils achieving the higher level five – which stood at 70 per cent.

Headteacher Ian Southern said: “We are incredibly proud of our children and the results they achieved.

"Seventy per cent of the pupils attaining a Level 5 in reading, writing and maths reflects the hard work of all the children, staff, parents and governors.

“ Every child made at least two levels progress and all achieved beyond the targets we had set. In addition to this 40 per cent of the children got a level six in Maths and 30 per cent in writing.

“Everybody connected to the School is delighted with all the children from last year’s year 6 and are sure they will all go on to achieve great things at Secondary School.”

Cllr Kevin McKeon, Bolton Council’s Cabinet member for Schools, said: "I am delighted to see the results and want to thank the staff and all the primary schools for the outstanding work that goes on and congratulate the young people whose efforts have been rewarded.

"I am confident Bolton's schools will continue to raise standards."