PRIMARY schools in south Essex are performing above national expectations, new figures have shown.

League tables published today show schools in the area are above the nationally expected level.

Schools are ranked by a point score, which is a combination of results across the three core subjects of maths, English and science.

Lee Chapel Primary School, in the Knares, Basildon, is the best performing school in the region with an average point score of 32.

Sue Jackson, headteacher at Lee Chapel, said that after 17 years at the school, there is never a day when she doesn’t still enjoy her job.

She said: “I am the proudest headteacher in the land.

“I absolutely love this school, love the children, love the staff, and together with the parents they are just amazing.

“The success we have achieved highlights the partnership between everyone that is the magic that makes everything happen.

“We train teachers here and my deputy and senior leaders came here and have come up through the ranks – we grow our own here.”

The achievements of the region’s pupils matched those seen on a national scale, with a marginally higher average point score across south Essex compared to nationwide.

Behind Lee Chapel Primary, 23 other schools averaged 31 points and no mainstream schools scored less than 25, meaning they were all around the national expectation.

Terry Cornelius, headteacher at Bournes Green Junior School, in Ladram Road, said her school’s results were down to hard work.

She said: “We have a very supportive group of parents that back everything we do to improve their children’s education and we have a group of teachers who do interventions for children of all ability in order to help them attain the best possible results.

“Our governing body also push us to keep our results as high as possible and it is nice to hear that other schools in the borough and region are doing well too.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

County councillor for education and lifelong learning - Ray Gooding

COUNCILLOR LAUDS WONDERFUL YEAR FOR EDUCATION

A COUNTY councillor has praised the performance of the region’s primary schools.

This week’s positive Key Stage 2 results come on the back of statistics in last week’s annual Ofsted report said that showed more and more secondary school aged pupils are attending good or outstanding schools.

Ray Gooding, county councillor for education and lifelong learning, said the results are a testament to the dedication of everyone involved with education in the region.

He said: “I am very pleased with the latest Key Stage 2 statistics, which are testament to the hard work and commitment of staff, pupils and governors at primary schools in Essex.

“Combined with the increasing number of pupils in the county now attending good or outstanding schools, as revealed in last week’s Ofsted Annual Report, this is a fantastic way to cap off a wonderful year for education in Essex.”

Southend councillor for children and education, Anne Jones, welcomed the results but said there was still work to do to ensure pupils make faster progress.

“Congratulations to pupils, teachers and parents for the very creditable Primary School Performance Table results released today.

“Our schools have kept up last year’s strong performance with 80 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths – which is again on a par with the national average," she said.

“We are also delighted that  three of our schools are among the top ten for South Essex.

“However we still need to ensure that all children in Southend are able to make faster progress. We aim to give Southend children the best possible start in life by striving to achieve the highest standards of education.”

 

Results explained (Point score - National expectation)

23 - Below expectation

25 - About expectation

27 - About expectation

29 - Above national expectation

31 - Above national expectation

33 - Well above national expectation

35 - Well above national expectation

37 - Exceptional

39 - Exceptional

 

2015 results (average point score):

National – 28.8

South Essex – 28.9

Southend – 28.9

 

Top 10 schools in south Essex (average point score):

Lee Chapel Primary, Basildon – 32

Bournes Green Junior, Southend – 31.6

Runwell Community Primary, Wickford – 31.4

The Robert Drake Primary, Benfleet – 31.2

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary, Leigh – 31.2

West Leigh Junior, Leigh – 31.2

Great Berry Primary, Langdon Hills – 31

Holy Family Catholic Primary, Benfleet – 30.8

Kents Hill Junior, Benfleet – 30.8

Edward Francis Primary School, Rayleigh – 30.7

Jotmans Hall Primary, Benfleet – 30.7

Westwood Academy, Hadleigh – 30.7