Bury schools shine again in national tests

Date published: 17 December 2011

Bury’s primary schools have capped another excellent year with improved results in the Key Stage 2 tests.

The official performance tables show that Bury pupils are out-performing many of their colleagues in other parts of the country.

In the KS2 tests for 11-year-olds, taken in the summer, 78% of pupils achieved the national standard of Level 4 or better in both English and mathematics. This is 2% higher than last year, and 4% above the national average.

In addition, 88% of Bury 11-year-olds made good progress in English at their primary school between the ages of 7 and 11, and 87% made good progress in mathematics. Both figures are again 4% above the national figure.

Five Bury primary schools scored a 100% success rate in English and maths: Mersey Drive, St Mary’s (Prestwich), Chesham, Old Hall, and Lowercroft.

Mersey Drive was one of just 265 schools in the whole country to score 100% in English and maths, plus have 100% of its pupils making the expected progress in both subjects.

One school, Lowercroft, made the country’s Top 200 for the highest average point score. And two schools, Mersey Drive and Chantlers, made the list for having improved every year since 2008.

Councillor Nick Parnell, executive member for children and families, said: “Year on year, our pupils continue to perform very well in their exams. Once again the results at Key Stage 2 are above the national average - in fact, the gap has widened.

"This follows the fantastic GCSE results in Bury this year, which were the best ever. All this is a tribute to the schools, teachers, and of course the young students themselves."