County’s primary test results above national average

OXFORDSHIRE primary schools are celebrating after test results for 11-year-olds placed the county above the national averages.

Based on annual tests taken by all children in their final year of primary school, the tables show how well schools have performed in English, maths and science. They also include a Contextual Value Added score (known as the CVA measure) which represents the progress pupils have made throughout their time at primary school.

Attainment of Oxfordshire?s 11-year-olds in English continues to be better than the national average. The number of pupils performing well at the highest level is also better than the national average in English, mathematics and science.

Pass rates at the highest level (Level 5) were as follows:

32 per cent of pupils achieved level 5 in English compared with 30 per cent nationally.

In mathematics, 32 per cent of pupils achieved level 5 compared with 31 per cent nationally.

In science 45 per cent achieved the higher level compared with 44 per cent nationally.

Pass rates at Level 4 or above were as follows:

In the new measure of combined English and mathematics, 73 per cent of pupils in Oxfordshire attained Level 4 or above, matching the national average.

In English, 82 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above. This is the same as last year and one percentage point better than the national average.

In mathematics, 79 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above. This is an increase of two percentage points on last year, and matching the national average.

In science, 88 per cent of pupils attained Level 4 or above, equalling last year?s results and matching the national average.

Seven county schools achieved 100 per cent in English, mathematics and science at the standard the government expects of 11-year-olds (Level 4). These schools were Appleton, Combe, Cropredy, Ewelme, Nettlebed, Shenington and Woodstock.

Some schools have also performed well, but do not appear in the published tables because the size of the classes entering the tests is too small. These are Enstone, Marcham, Shellingford and St Peter’s in Cassington.

Twelve Oxfordshire schools have CVA measures which put them in the top five per cent of schools nationally. These schools are Combe, Eynsham, Faringdon, Horspath, Kidmore End in Reading, Ladygrove Park in Didcot, Rush Common in Abingdon, St Edburg’s in Bicester, St Leonard’s in Banbury, St Thomas More in Kidlington, Woodstock and Northern House Special School in Oxford.

In addition St Peter’s in Cassington and Shellingford School who had too few pupils to be included in the tables, also had a CVA measure that would have put them in the top five per cent of all schools nationally.

Councillor Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council?s Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, said: “I would like to congratulate all our schools for these results. They reflect a lot of hard work on behalf of pupils and teaching staff. I have observed some outstanding teaching and learning in the county?s primary schools and am constantly impressed by the hard work and commitment of pupils and teaching staff.
“It is great to see the individual successes and that overall Oxfordshire primary schools are performing above the national picture, particularly at the highest level. However, with Oxfordshire?s social background and academic heritage, the county council feels that it should aim even higher. We have a firm commitment to do better and to raise standards even further in the county?s schools.”