Schools are rated best in the West

The regions have been rated joint-highest in this year's national Key Stage 2 tests.

Hundreds of Year 6 pupils took the end of year exams at 44 primary schools in the region last June.

Last year's Key Stage 2 results ranked the authority 33rd out of 140 for primary school education.

Nationally pupils are expected to achieve a Level 4 for the Key Stage 2 tests in English, maths and science.

Ridge Junior School in Yate is among the high achieving schools in the authority this year.

Ninety-two per cent of pupils achieved a Level 4+ in English, 82 per cent in maths and 98 per cent in science.

Headteacher David Beeley said it was the second highest set of Key Stage 2 results the school had achieved since it opened in 1954.

He said: "The results are a testament to the excellent teaching and hard work put in by our pupils.

"We were especially interested to find from the results that boys' writing was very good, which nationally isn't usually the case.

"We now look to maintain the high standards into next year's tests."

Manorbrook Primary School, in Thornbury, also performed well in the national tests.

Eighty-nine per cent of pupils achieved a Level 4+ in English, 87 per cent in maths and 91 per cent in science.

Headteacher Angela Evans said she was particularly pleased with the number of pupils achieving a Level 5.

She said: "We have improved considerably from last year thanks to a range of improved teaching methods we had put in place.

"We are especially pleased with the high percentage of pupils who achieved a Level 5."

South Gloucestershire Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: "I am delighted with how well our primary schools have done. Our young people can be very proud of what they have achieved.

"We have dedicated teachers in our schools who work very hard to help ensure that our young people can achieve their full potential.

"They are strongly supported by non-teaching staff, school governors and the wider school community. Everyone can be very proud of what they have achieved."

The tables show that 84 per cent of Gloucestershire pupils reached at least the expected level, which is level 4, in English, 80 per cent in maths and 91 per cent in science.

Cllr Jackie Hall, cabinet member for children's services, said: "This is excellent news and well justifies the investment that the county council has made in the county's children and young people.

"I would like to pass on my warm congratulations to Gloucestershire's pupils, schools and teachers. Yet again, they are setting a standard that will be envied in other parts of the country."

Blue Coat Primary School, in Wotton-under-Edge, was also celebrating today after receiving excellent results in the Key Stage 2 tests.

More than half of its pupils achieved a level 5 in English, maths and science and its overall score was 30.3, which is much higher than the national average of 27.9.

Headteacher Phillip Williams said: "We usually do very well in the tests but we do not like to think in terms of league tables.

"We have had an absolutely brilliant academic year. We have had some major building work going on, which has been disruptive, but the children have continued to do well.

"The children are such a lovely group of people and the staff work really hard here.

"The school is well supported by parents and governors and it is a great community.

"The measure of the school is how each individual child develops, not just where we get on a league table. We aim to develop each child into a good citizen."

Cam Hopton School also showed excellent results, with over 80 per cent of pupils gaining a level 5 in science.

The achievement and attainment tables, which give information about schools' achievements, are published today on the Department for Children, Schools and Families website www.dcsf.gov.uk.

They are also available to see on our website.

Paper copies of the booklet can be obtained by ringing 0800 24 23 22 or by emailing coi.perftables@isky.co.uk.