ASHPERTON Primary is riding high in the latest Department for Education league tables, as the best performing primary in the Ledbury area.

The statistics, out this week, show that the 96 per cent of the pupils are achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths.

The national average is 80 per cent and the Government benchmark, the so-called "floor standard", is 65 per cent.

Ashperton's head teacher, Chris Bandfield said: "We are absolutely delighted. In all subjects, according to our latest data, we are in the top 4 per cent of primary schools in the country.

"It has been a significant year. We have created a new classroom and we have a great team. It has all gone really well. Our staff are outstanding."

Another local high achiever is Eastnor Primary, where 91 per cent of pupils achieved level four in the core subjects of reading, writing and maths.

Just above them is Cradley Primary, where the figure is 92 per cent.

Another high-flyer is Bromesberrow Primary, at 89 per cent.

And Bosbury Primary recorded a league score of 88 per cent.

Much Marcle Primary recorded 84 per cent; Colwall Primary achieved 83 per cent, and Ledbury Primary also achieved a score of 83 per cent, all well over the national average.

The score for Burley Gate was 76 per cent; for Picklenash Junior School it was 74 per cent and for Brockhampton Primary it was 65 per cent.

Only two schools in the local area came in below the Government benchmark of 65 per cent.

These were Bredenbury Primary, with 58 pupils and a score of 40 per cent, and the Ann Cam Primary at Dymock, with 97 pupils and a score of 53 per cent.

The head of Bredenbury, Dawn Wilson, was in meetings at the time of going to press.

The head of the Ann Cam, Chris Ward said of the school's result: "The most important thing is, our data, internally, our teacher assessments, paint a different picture.

"The published data is an annoying set of data because it does not reflect what goes on at the school.

"We are a small school, with pupils of varying abilities."