Hartlepool school celebrates ranking in top 1% of the country

A school in Hartlepool is celebrating national success '“ after being rated among the top-performing in the country.
St Peter's Primary School teacher Zoe Thompson with pupils (left to right) Trudy Holmes, Isabel Ward, Joseph Gill, Lucas Hennells-Barber, Logan Johnston and Sadie Hancock.St Peter's Primary School teacher Zoe Thompson with pupils (left to right) Trudy Holmes, Isabel Ward, Joseph Gill, Lucas Hennells-Barber, Logan Johnston and Sadie Hancock.
St Peter's Primary School teacher Zoe Thompson with pupils (left to right) Trudy Holmes, Isabel Ward, Joseph Gill, Lucas Hennells-Barber, Logan Johnston and Sadie Hancock.

St Peter’s Elwick Primary School, in North Lane, Elwick, has been ranked in the top 1% of primary schools in England for reading and maths.

It comes after every Year 6 pupil in the last academic year attained the expected standard in both subjects in their SATs exams.

Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.
Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.
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The achievement was highlighted by Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, who wrote the school a letter.

Headteacher Jo Heaton said: “This is a real boost for the school, and is down to lots of hard work and effort from a lot of people.

“The school is thrilled by all of our children’s achievements.

“Our aim is to send the pupils off on the next step of their education in the best way possible.

St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.
St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.
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“To get recognition like this is very reassuring that we are going about things the right way.”

It was a particularly impressive success for the school given that it came in the first year since new SATs tests were introduced.

Included within that were a tougher curriculum and exams.

Mrs Heaton added: “This was the first year with the new SATs, so it was a test for all schools.

Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.
Pupils Isabel Woods, left, and Trudy Holmes with Year 5 and 6 teacher Zoe Thompson.

“It was a bit of a new world for everybody.

“It’s reassuring that all the hard work and effort we put in has produced results.

“The progress made by some of the children was phenomenal.”

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For Mrs Heaton, everyone involved at the school deserves credit for the way it has been able to deal with the new challenge.

St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.
St Peter's Elwick Primary School pupil Joseph Gill doing his English work.

She said: “It’s down to the whole school community.

“The teachers, the staff, the parents, the governors and the children all deserve recognition for these results as they all help us so much.

“Results like this are always down to teamwork above everything else.

“It’s fantastic that at this school, everbody pulls together for the same goal and supports us in any way they can.”

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SATs are taken by children in the final year of primary school.

The new tests cover material from a new curriculum which was introduced three years ago.

It was designed to be tougher than previously taught to children.

The curriculum came after ministers had said standards had not been high enough.