FEWER than 60 per cent of Worcestershire’s school children left primary school at the expected standard this year.

Key stage 2 Sats results, out yesterday, revealed only 57 per cent of the county’s ten and 11 year olds reached expected levels in reading, writing and mathematics - compared to 61 per cent nationally.

Worcestershire’s results had improved by 10 per cent on last year’s, when results were lower at most schools following the introduction of new tougher Sats exams.

Pupils in Worcestershire achieved progress scores of -0.9 for writing, -0.6 for reading and -1.3 for maths.

A score of 0 means pupils at the school do as well as their peers nationally and a negative score is below average. However, schools are not considered failing by the government until progress scores drop below -5 in reading, -5 in maths and -7 in writing.

The results put Worcestershire in the bottom fifth of local authorities in England.

However, Callow End CE Primary School in Upton Road came top in Worcestershire with 97 per cent of students reaching expected levels and achieving well above average reading and maths scores.

Headteacher Sarah Wilkinson said: “We are delighted. Obviously the main thing is we are a small village school and take children from Worcester and Malvern so to get these results is fabulous for the school. We do, of course, take all children no matter their ability. We give them every opportunity to succeed.”

We really make sure they are confident learners.

“The school works to prepare them for everything they may face. “

Speaking on the writing result, she said: “We make sure they are confident writers. We know they have progressed really well. We know they are only going to get better as they go up to high school.”

At Stanley Road Primary School, in Worcester, only 44 per cent of pupils reached the expected levels in reading, writing and mathematics. Progress scores in reading were -2.7, writing -1.2 and maths at -3.3.

Headteacher Anne Potter said: “We have a small intake of 43 pupils. 11 children joined us during the last year. Some people will be really negative at the result. But we are a city school with a high turnover. I don’t think we are responsible for their learning when they have been with us less than a year.”

Only 49 per cent of pupils at The De Montfort School, Evesham, reached expected levels - up from 20 per cent in 2016.

he school was well below average at -4.7 and below average at 2.3 in writing and 2.7 in reading compared with the national figure of -5 in reading and maths and -7 in writing.

Headteacher Guy Nichols said: “I suspect we are the most improved in Worcestershire but we needed to be. We are actually quite pleased about the fact that the school is up 19 per cent to 49 per cent. Of course, we are mindful of national benchmarks. We are no longer the bottom in Worcestershire and that is to do with the hard work of the staff and children – and the support of parents.”

In a way we would like to congratulate them, by moving significantly in the right direction.”

“We are conscious we have a long way to go.”

A table of results is available in the picture gallery.