BURY's primary schools are among the best in the entire country.

A breakdown of this summer's Standard Attaintment Tests (SATs) results shows Bury is the seventh best local education authority in the nation.

Bury's school standards spokesman Coun Andrea Hughes said: "Once again our family of schools have produced exceptional results and all can be rightly proud of their achievements."

The figures released this week were based on the percentage of 11-year-olds reaching the expected level of achievement in English, Maths and Science.

The statistics show 78 per cent of Bury pupils reached the expected level in English, 76 per cent in Maths and 85 per cent in Science. This compares with last year when the results were 73 per cent, 66 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

Coun Hughes said: "This is proof positive that our schools really are amongst the best in the country. To improve year on year means we must be doing something right."

In relation to the averages for Greater Manchester, Bury's schools were 7 per cent higher in English and Science and 6 per cent in Maths.

Bury LEA is now the most successful in Greater Manchester. And in the North West as a whole it came top in English, Science and joint second in Mathematics.

Coun Hughes said: "The results are all the more remarkable when you consider that Bury has a lower level of funding than a lot of other LEAs."

She added: "To all teachers, pupils and governors I extend warm congratulations. Bury really does have an exceptional range of teachers and schools."

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