A Chester school has been named the top performing primary in the county.

Ranked first place out of 450 Cheshire and Wirral primary schools, St Oswald’s Primary School in Mollington achieved the highest average point score in English and mathematics (32.9), outperforming every other school in the county.

The school was ranked 55th out of 21,310 in the country in the primary schools league tables published by the Department of Education on December 9, placing it in the top 0.25% of schools nationally.

St Oswald’s , who were ranked top school in the country two years ago, have firmly established themselves as one of Cheshire’s top performing primary schools over the past few years.

Headteacher Dave Wallace said: “Put quite simply it’s down to high quality teaching and children who genuinely enjoy learning. My staff at school work tirelessly to ensure children are constantly engaged within lessons and not only given the support they need to improve, but also to ensure the level of challenge is correct and that the children are always looking to improve.”

Fantastic children

Chris Timms, deputy headteacher and Year 5/6 teacher at the school , said: “The key to our great results is largely down to our fantastic children and their ‘buy in’ and attitude they have shown, pushing themselves not only to achieve their potential but to exceed it. The effort they put in last year was remarkable as is the support from our fantastic parents.”

The school balances academic achievement with sporting, musical, art and enrichment activities as well as promoting a strong Christian ethos through its core values.

“Our school motto is ‘Hand in hand we love, laugh learn’ and this ethos, understood and valued by our whole school community, is crucial in creating the best atmosphere for the children,” added Mr Wallace.

Brilliant platform

Former pupil Ollie Hitchcox, aged 11, said: “St Oswald’s has given me such a brilliant platform for starting high school and I look back on my time at St Oswald’s as having had the best time with such fantastic opportunities and great memories.

“The staff team are all brilliant and though the teachers work you hard, I loved every minute of being there!”

Parent Andrea Bullough, whose daughter left the school in July for high school, said: “My daughter flourished at St Oswald’s. The teaching and school environment really inspired her to give her best by inspiring a love of learning. She has by far exceeded everyone’s expectations both in SATs results but also in confidence.

“I always felt very lucky that she has been part of the St Oswald’s family but have a new found appreciation as she has entered high school and continues to excel. She has the knowledge, skills, resilience and passion for learning that will stay with her for a lifetime.”