PUPILS at St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Nantwich are officially the brainiest children in Cheshire after scoring brilliant marks in their SATs.

The 164-pupil primary school has been placed 36th in tables across the whole of England and top for Cheshire for the proportion of children reaching Level Five - the standard normally expected of 14-year-olds.

Headteacher Susan Fau-Goodwin said: 'We are ecstatic with the fabulous results.

'The children and teachers have done really well.'

Fun and teacher-pupil support are the key to St Anne's success.

Mrs Fau-Goodwin added: 'I feel that fun and enjoyment are very important in attaining good results. It's not just about being an examination factory.

'We try to build as many opportunities as possible into lessons to stretch our children, giving them tasks that require them to think on their own. But it is important that children are well-rounded so we have a lot of singing and artwork incorporated into their school-day.'

Mrs Fau-Goodwin said that she was sceptical of the league tables, published this week, feeling that they do not identify a good school or a bad one.

She added: 'The underpinning of the achievement of St Anne's is the care, support and guidance that we give the children.

'Access to a varied curriculum offers many opportunities for all our children to achieve and feel a sense of success.'

The primary schools' tables are based on the proportion of primary school leavers reaching the national standard expected for their age.

Pupils rise above the norm

PRIMARY and junior school pupils in Cheshire have again beaten the national average for levels of academic achievement at Key Stage Two.

The results announced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) show improvements on most of last year's figures at both levels of attainment.

Of the county's 7,800-plus primary and junior school children, 37% achieved the higher level in English, against 32% nationally, and 37% in maths, against 33% nationally.

The only slight hiccup was in science, with 51% achieving Level Five this year, compared to 52% last year. But this score is still up on the 46% nationally.

Top performers include Eaton Primary School in Tarporley, St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Nantwich, Prestbury CE Primary School and Davenham CE Primary School, Northwich, all of which were listed in the 200 best performing primary schools in the country at National Curriculum Level Five.

Pupils who receive Level Five results are achieving what is usually expected of children three years older.

Children's Services executive county council member 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.

'The better your standards, the more difficult it becomes to improve further. However, we are certainly not complacent.

'We will continue to support those schools which are not performing so well and to encourage those who are.'