More Wiltshire primary school pupils are achieving and exceeding the Level 4 target for reading, writing and maths, according to latest Government figures published today.

The Department for Education tables show 76 per cent of Wiltshire primary school children hit the target, three per cent up from 2012 figures.

All 11-year-olds sit Standard Assessment Tests (SATS) and teachers assess which level pupils have attained in the summer of their final year at primary school.

In Wiltshire, more pupils continue to achieve above the expected level 4 with nearly half of all Wiltshire pupils (49 per cent) attaining level 5 in reading – four per cent higher than the national figure of 45 per cent.

A third of pupils (33 per cent) achieve level 5 in writing and four out of 10 (40 per cent) of pupils achieve level 5 in maths.

The tables also reveal that the vast majority of Wiltshire primary aged pupils are making expected progress between the two sets of SATS tests taken at age seven and 11. 

Wiltshire pupils have bucked national trends in reading, with 90 per cent of Wiltshire pupils making expected progress compared to 88 per cent nationally. 

Writing progress is 93 per cent compared with 91 per cent nationally and maths 88 per cent in line with the national figures.

St Mary’s Primary School in Broughton Gifford, near Melksham is the highest ranked school in west Wiltshire, coming 12th in the county with an average points score of 33.

Headteacher Angela McAuley said: “It’s a fantastic result, and we’re thrilled to bits with them. We had 100 per cent reaching Level 5 in maths, and 17 per cent reaching Level 6, and that’s an improvement on last year.

Bitham Brook was one of the top performers in Westbury, with a ranking of 44, while North Bradley CE Primary in Trowbridge came 17th.

Headteacher Janette O’Brien said: “We have a fantastic and very committed team of teachers and teaching assistants, who work hard to develop every child.”

Sutton Veny CE Primary is ranked 32nd in the county, while Christ Church Primary in Bradford on Avon ranked 49 in the league tables, achieving an average points score of 30.7.

However, it was not all good news, with Westwood with Iford Primary School ranked 180th, with an average points score of 25.

Headteacher Ian Rockey, who started in September, said: “It is an unusual position for the school to find itself in this year. This is due to a high level of mobility due to children joining in Year 5 and 6.”

Under the Government’s new tougher standards, schools were judged for the first time on how many Year 6 children achieve at least a Level 4 in reading, writing and maths. Each pupil’s average points score is calculated and used to give each school an average points score and set their ranking.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children services said: "These results are very encouraging for Wiltshire and underline the commitment and hard work of both pupils and teachers.

"These tests are only one part of the story as the pupils will also learn from being in a school community."