PRIMARY school children in Wiltshire have performed well in the three core subjects of reading, writing and maths, according to the latest performance tables.
This summer, a new set of SAT tests were introduced by the government as part of a bid to raise standards. Pupils are assessed to see if they have reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.
More than half (54 per cent) of Wiltshire’s primary pupils were on track in all three subjects, – in line with national figures (53 per cent) and higher than the regional average.
The 2016 performance figures have been published shortly after Ofsted’s annual report.
This report showed that Wiltshire’s primary schools continue to be highly rated. Nearly 33,000 children are in good and outstanding schools; representing 92 percent of primary aged children in the county.
The results are shown in the following table.
Carolyn Godfrey, Wiltshire Council corporate director, said: “These are good results which demonstrate the hard work of pupils, teachers and leaders preparing pupils for the next stage in education.
“However we are never complacent and we will always seek continuous improvement by working in partnership with schools to ensure that all pupils can achieve their potential so they are prepared for the challenges of a secondary school curriculum.”
Meanwhile, 45 per cent of children in Dorset and 59 per cent in Hampshire reached the expected standards in all three subjects.
Andy Woolley, regional secretary at the National Union of Teachers said the figures were unreliable and SAT tests were “chaotic”.
He said: “There simply cannot be a fair model of holding schools to account through league tables, which distort learning and put unnecessary pressure on children. The government must start to listen to the concerns of the profession and the growing anger from parents whose children are being forced to endure this broken ‘exam factory’ model.”
St Osmund’s headteacher Richard Sanderson, who took over from retiring head Liz Jolly in September, said the school was “rightly proud” and its results were “testament to the determined and hardworking pupils, staff and parents”.
“This year the expectations of a new curriculum and assessment posed significant challenges and to rise to that challenge will give our pupils a great deal of confidence heading into the future.”
“However, the SATs are just one measure of a school, and at St Osmund’s we are most proud of how independent, articulate, respectful and most importantly, how happy our children are. They really are the greatest ambassadors of what our school values.”
Richard Gamble, Wiltshire Council portfolio holder for schools said: “These figures show pupils continue to do well in Wiltshire. This summer was the first for the new range of tests and our schools have delivered good results.
“I’d like to congratulate all involved.”
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