Primary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham are the best in the country, according to a new league table published by the Department of Education.
The borough is one of only two authorities in the country - and the only inner city London borough - where all pupils in primary schools are meeting key educational targets and no schools are falling ‘below the floor’. The other borough achieving this is Havering.
A school is deemed ‘below the floor’ where fewer than 60 per cent of pupils achieve the basic standard of level four in both English and mathematics combined by the time they leave school, and fewer pupils than average make the expected levels of progress between Key Stage One (at six or seven years old) and key stage two (aged 10 or 11) in English and in maths.
The best performing schools in the borough were Miles Coverdale and the Roman Catholic schools of Good Shepherd, Pope John, St Augustine’s and St Mary’s, where 100% of pupils got level four or higher in maths and English. The most improved school was St Mary’s, up 31% on last year’s results.
“The fact that none of our schools are below the floor makes us feel very pround. It is only a few years ago that several schools were struggling to reach basic standards but hard work, dedication and persistence from head teachers and their staff, pupils, parents and the council has made this achievement possible.
“We are continuing to raise standards and give children the best possible start in life through excellent education, which begins in our primary schools. Our thriving schools are helping to build a borough of opportunity, where getting a first class education right from the start means better chances for children’s futures.”
The league table figures, which compare every school in England, are based on the results of tests taken by more than half-a-million Year 6 pupils in May. The percentage of children reaching the expected level in English and maths rose nationally by one percentage point, to 74%, while in H&F the average percentage of pupils reaching the expected levels was 77%. This was also higher than the London average of 76% and a seven per cent improvement on the results two years ago.
The borough also outperformed others in the progress measures, with 90% of pupils making the expected progress since key stage one, compared to 84% nationally, and 86% making progress in maths, compared to 83% nationally.
More than 1,300 primary schools nationally are failing to reach official targets for teaching the basics of English and maths.
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