DAVENHAM Primary School proved a class leader this week after topping the Key Stage 2 league tables for Mid Cheshire.
The popular village school came third overall in Cheshire after pupils were awarded an average points score of 31.6 and achieved 100% in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science at level four or above.
Delighted headteacher Philip Hilditch put the school's success down to a combination of factors, including superb children and excellent staff.
He said: 'We are always delighted to celebrate the achievements of all our children at Davenham and it is very pleasing to be recognised in this way.
'I believe that staff in all schools, no matter what their circumstances, are striving all the time for best for the children in their area. I have always been privileged to work in good schools throughout my career and at Davenham I work with super children, excellent staff, lovely parents, a dedicated governing body and a supportive community.
'But the league tables only present a narrow view of what a school is all about. At Davenham we go to great lengths to make the curriculum as broad as possible. This year we have been developing our music curriculum and in September started a school band.
'When the school day has ended we also run several clubs - league tables are only one measure of the school's success there are others which we are very proud of.'
Overall, Mid Cheshire's primary and junior school pupils again beat the national average, with many improving on last year's figures for both higher and expected levels of academic achievement. Of Cheshire's 7,800-plus primary and junior school children, 37% achieved the higher level in English (32% nationally), 37% in Maths (33% nationally) and 51% in Science (46% nationally). Last year the totals were 30%, 35%, and 52% respectively.
At Level 4 - the accepted standard for children transferring to secondary school - the gap between Cheshire pupils and the national average figure widened. A total of 84% attained that level in English, 5% ahead of the national figure; 80% in Maths, 4% above the norm; and 90% in Science, 3% ahead of the rest of the country.
Cheshire education chief David Rowlands said: 'Once again Cheshire has maintained standards above the national level - a tremendous tribute to the hard work and dedication of pupils and teachers alike. We will continue to support those schools which are not performing so well and to encourage those who are.'
Wider view of education needed says headmaster > > >
Wider view of education needed says headmaster
MIDDLEWICH schools performed well in the league tables.
Cledford Junior School scored the best results in town, but headteacher Chris Bentley was quick to point out that tables should not be the only mark of a school's progress and abilities.
Cledford scored an average points total of 29.2, matched locally only by Wimboldsley Primary School, with an aggregate points score of 271 - 29 up on the year before.
Mr Bentley said: 'We are very pleased at the results, but we have to bear in mind that so much of this is down to the group of pupils we have in each year, and last year the group was very good indeed.
'You have to remember that these tests only take into account a small amount of what we, and all the other schools in the area, actually do. We have Quality Marks in a range of areas, including inclusion which we got last week.
'We also perform visits to the theatre and get groups in to help bring lessons such as History to life. The exam results are very pleasing for us all, and the pupils did very well.'
Points proven
PRIMARY schools in Winsford are celebrating after emerging as some of the region's best performers.
Several schools have improved their scores, based on Key Stage 2 results, and more pupils than ever have passed exams in English, Maths and Science. Wharton Juniors emerged as the best performing school for the second year in a row, with an average points score of 28.8 points. The school's aggregate score jumped from 244 last year to 268, putting it on a par with some of the best in Cheshire.
Acting headteacher Donna Prenton said: 'We've had a really good year and it's all down to the hard work of the pupils, the dedication of the staff and the support of the parents. Our results have been good year after year and it's due to everyone pulling together and spotting the children who need to make progress and helping them do it.'
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is the most improved of the Winsford schools in terms of its aggregate score, jumping from 207 to 261. Delighted headteacher Nina Chwastek said: 'The school is focussed on improvement and that is our top priority to give pupils the best possible deal. Teachers have an enormous role to play but it's the children that deserve the credit because they've done brilliantly.'
High Street Primary headteacher Mark Joule was 'very pleased' as his school's score leapt from 207 last year to 246, an average of 27.5. He said: 'We put in place a lot of new strategies to raise attainment throughout the school. All of the staff plan appropriate lessons to link with these strategies and try to provide a curriculum that is focussed, but also fun.'
