PRIMARY school pupils in Barnsley are making good progress in maths and writing, latest school league data shows.
The overall performance of the borough’s primary schools was published by the Department for Education yesterday in its primary school league tables for 2017.
Schools are now considered to be meeting the government’s floor target - the minimum standard for pupil attainment and progress - if at least 65 per cent of pupils are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths or if they are making sufficient progress in all three subjects.
The league table shows that more than half of all Barnsley’s primary pupils - 59 per cent - met the expected standard, a score that is slightly behind the national average of 61 per cent.
It shows key stage two pupils (ages seven to 11) reaching the expected standard are:
- Reading, 68 per cent (national 72 per cent), up six percentage points on last year
- Writing, 76 per cent (national 76 per cent), the same as last year
- Maths, 75 per cent (national 75 per cent), up three percentage points on 2016
- Grammar, punctuation and spelling, 75 per cent (national 77 per cent), up three points on last year
Progress scores in the three key subjects are calculated by comparing key stage two test and assessment results of pupils with the results of pupils in schools across England who started with similar results at the end of key stage one.
The table shows the borough’s pupils are progressing above average in writing and maths but below average in reading.
Education spokesman Coun Tim Cheetham said: “Outcomes in Barnsley are improving from early years education to the end of key stage four. This means many more of our pupils are better prepared for the next phase of education, employment or training at 16.
“Barnsley pupils are achieving higher results by the end of key stage four, and we are seeing significant successes elsewhere, particularly in the early years phase where the gap between Barnsley and the national average is narrowing.
“In key stage two, the progress made by pupils in writing and mathematics is well above national expectations.
“Barnsley Council remains committed to working with all our schools through the Barnsley Alliance and improving pupils’ achievement in reading remains our priority.”
Overall performance shows there were 32 schools in Barnsley that hit the government benchmark of 65 per cent or more for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Last year, just 23 schools reached that mark.
It also shows four schools matched the national average of 61 per cent but missed out on the 65 per cent floor target. There were 42 schools that failed to meet the national average.
The league tables show top of the class is Gawber Primary School where 90 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Other high performers that all scored above 80 per cent were Upperwood Academy at Darfield, Cawthorne Primary, Hoyland Common primary, Silkstone primary, Barugh Green, Brierley and Silkstone Common primaries.
The worst performing school was Laithes Primary at Athersley where just 17 per cent of pupils hit the required target for reading, writing and maths - which is well below government expectations of 65 per cent.
