East Lancs school pass rates are highest yet (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancs school pass rates are highest yet

2:55pm Wednesday 1st April 2009 in Belthorn By Nafeesa Shan, Reporter

CHILDREN in East Lancashire primary schools are achieving higher standards than ever before, according to new Government figures.

Click on the link to see the full results in XLS format - satstables.xls

Both Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council schools have improved their pass rates in English, maths and science for 11 year-olds, according to the Department of Children, Schools and Families.

In Lancashire 82 per cent passed English, 80 per cent passed maths and 89 per cent passed science Blackburn with Darwen Council had 80 per cent in English, 79 per cent for maths and 88 per cent in science.

Both local authorities are hitting the national targets for Key Stage Two.

Lancashire County cabinet member for schools Vali Patel said: "These figures are encouraging and reflect the hard work of the children and teachers in our primary schools.

"I congratulate all of those involved in helping children acquire learning skills and knowledge that will stand them in good stead throughout their school lives and beyond."

Coun Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The children have made exceptional progress in 2008, with the steep increases in performance taking us up to or above the national averages in every subject for the first time.

"This is also a great reflection of all the dedicated work of teachers and pupils.”

East Lancashire primaries in top 200 in UK

• Stubbins Primary School
• Holy Souls RC Primary School, Blackburn
• Laneshaw Bridge Primary School, Colne
• Trawden Forest Primary School
• Chatburn CE Primary School
• Gisburn Primary School.

Stubbins Primary School is also one of only 200 primary schools in the whole country to be named as ‘outstanding’.

Sabden Primary School excelled in the 2008 compared to the previous year, despite it being in special measures.

Acting head of the school Lisa Titchiner said: “We are very keen that every child reaches his or her full potential by doing the very best they can.

"We are extremely pleased that our last year six had 100 per cent success rate."

Pam Macro, headteacher of Helmshore St Veronica’s Primary School, Raven Avenue, which also did well, said: “We are really pleased.

“It is great credit to the children and all the staff at the school.

"We value every single child we have in schools. ”

Most improved schools in East Lancashire

• Shadsworth Junior School, Blackburn
• Reedley Primary School
• Wensley Fold CofE Primary School, Blackburn
• St Peter’s CofE Primary School, Accrington
• St Mary Magdalen’s CofE Primary School, Accrington
• Belthorn Primary School, Blackburn.