Manchester maintains improvement in primary schools

Primary schools in Manchester have made good improvements in mathematics, according to the latest league tables issued by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF.)

Between 2004-7, there has been an overall steady gain of six per cent, consistently better than the national improvement, but still a few points below the national average.

Meanwhile, primary schools in the city are maintaining a steady overall improvement in English -a one per cent improvement, keeping pace with the national average.

The Key Stage Two results show that the gender gap broadly reflects the national picture, with girls performing better in English and boys performing better in maths.

Trends among the city's primary schools are pointing upwards and broadly in line with national trends, with the exception of writing at L4+ - the level an 11-year-old would be expected to reach.

There has been significant progress among cared-for children this year - with the increase in English up five per cent to 63%. Maths shows an improvement but in science, the increase is nine per cent to 80%.

Significant progress has also been made in both English and maths with pupils who have African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds.

In English, the equal first schools with scores of 100% are: Chorlton C of E Primary; King David Junior, Crumpsall; and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Baguley.

In Maths, King David Junior was the top school with 100% while in science, the school shared equal first place -100% - with St. Willibord's RC, Clayton; St. Dunstan's RC, Moston; Higher Openshaw Community School; C of E School of the Resurrection, Beswick; St. Ambrose RC, Chorlton-cum-Hardy; St. John Bosco RC, Blackley; Lily Lane Junior, Moston; Bishop Bilsborrow Memorial RC, Moss Side; and St. Anne's RC, Ancoats.

The top five primaries for value added - a way of measuring progress between one education stage and the next - are: Alma Park Primary, Levenshulme (102.6); King David (102.2); St. Edmund's RC, Miles Platting (102.1); Holy Name RC, Moss Side (102); and Lily Lane Junior, (101.9).

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "This year's results - particularly in maths - show that Manchester's primary schools are continuing to make improvements and we will continue to strive for even better results by focusing on a range of key initiatives. For example, early intervention coupled with challenge and support among our youngest children up to the age of five has resulted in impressive improvements by the end of reception year. This will build secure foundations for improved results as these children go through successive stages of their primary education."

Media contacts:

Dave Hulme, tel:0161 234 4610

Jane Lemon, tel:0161 234 3179