CHESHIRE primary school children scored above the national average in SATs tests according to league tables published this week, despite almost a quarter of headteachers choosing to boycott the examinations.

In the table, which has no results for 31 schools, 77% of 10 and 11-year-olds achieved Level 4 (the Government’s average expected attainment on leaving primary school) in both the English and maths tests. This is up from 76% last year and 4% ahead of the national figure.

Year 6 pupils at Mickle Trafford, Mill View, Christleton, Boughton Heath, Cherry Grove, Oldfield, Highfield, Dodleston, Guilden Sutton and Overleigh St Mary’s primary schools did not sit the national assessment tests. A further 12 schools in the Ellesmere Port and Neston area also boycotted the tests.

Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesperson Ian Callister said: “The examination is obviously important to both the schools and pupils who did take part. We have no reason to believe that results from the missing schools would have altered our position nationally.”

Of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s 2,600 primary children who sat the tests, 83% attained Level 4 in English and 82% in maths – both three per cent ahead of the national figure.

Of those pupils, 35% achieved Level 5 in English (32% nationally), and 35% in maths (34% nationally).

Councillor Arthur Harada, executive member for children’s services said: “Beating the national average once again is testament to the hard work carried out by our pupils and I would also like to thank teachers, parents and carers who have all played a part in today’s success.”

Members of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT), which together represent about 80% of primary school heads, voted to refuse to administer the exams, which were first introduced in 1995. Teachers claim the SATs undermine children’s education and place undue pressure on pupils.