Bristol primary schools continue to improve

The performance of Bristol primary schools continue to improve and are now very close to national outcomes, according to performance tables released by the Government today (Thursday 13 December).

For the last academic year the percentage of children achieving level 4 or above, the appropriate level for their age, at leaving primary school is:

English 83 % (80% 2011, 78% 2010, 72% 2007)
Maths 83% (80 % 2011, 80% 2010, 69% 2007)

The percentage of pupils achieving Level 4+ in both English and maths has risen dramatically and at 78% is just below the national figure of 79%.

At Level 5, which is above the level expected at age 11, Bristol pupils performed well: 37% gained Level 5 in English compared to 38% nationally. In maths 38% of pupils achieved level 5 against 39% in England.

Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “Bristol has some excellent primary schools and it is very good news that today's performance tables show more are achieving good results. Parents will be heartened by this improving picture, and I'd like to congratulate the staff and pupils for their hard work. I am already working to ensure that we are building sufficient school places to meet the increasing demand in the future.”

Glenfrome Primary School in Eastville has recently expanded to two-form of entry.  Pupils in the school speak 27 languages and the majority are bilingual. Combined results for KS2 English and maths has improved from 35 per cent three years ago to 70 per cent in 2012.

Headteacher Inger O’Callaghan said: “At Glenfrome we are focusing on the core skills of reading, writing and maths in the context of an exciting curriculum. We are building resilience and a love of learning in our children, combined with a drive to succeed and be the best they can be.

“We see the fact that 70 per cent of our children are bilingual as an advantage that enriches our community. Our work with actor and educationalist Pie Corbett has enhanced our children's speaking and listening skills, which impacts on their writing. There is no quick fix for underachievement, but we are working hard at every level with parents and children to raise standards for every child.”

Measures to raise standards in primary schools include catch-up strategies for children at risk of falling behind such as Every Child a Reader and Every Child Counts.  Schools can use their pupil premium funding for measures such as one to one tuition.

At Cabot Primary School, St Pauls the younger age group at KS1 (aged seven) are bucking the national and local trends with 93% of pupils achieving at Level 2+ in reading, the level expected for their age and 89% of pupils achieving the higher level 2B in Reading compared to 76% of pupils nationally at this level. 

Acting headteacher Tom Burton said: “Raised aspirations, improved teaching and parental support is helping our youngest children achieve as well, and in some cases better than those in more affluent areas of the country. Inner city children can achieve well and I hope to see this level of high attainment continue throughout their school lives.”

Primary school performance tables are available today at www.dfe.gov.uk