SCHOOLS from Ludlow and south Shropshire are amongst the region's top performers.

New resultsFigures from last year’s national curriculum tests for 11-year-olds show that Shropshire primary schools are alsoamongst the best in the region and achieving well nationally.

Results for last year’s national curriculum tests for 11-year-olds have been published. Many county schools in the Shropshire Council area have achieved above the national average on all measures and the county’s overall performance was again ahead of national outcomes in a number of key areas.

Reading was again very strong, with 87 per cent of pupils achieving level four or above, compared to 83 per cent nationally. Writing was also ahead of the national picture with 84 per cent of pupils achieving or exceeding the expected level, compared to 83 per cent. A similar 84 per cent of pupils reached or surpassed the standard in mathematics, which was the same as pupils nationally.

These outcomes, when compared to the other 13 local authorities in the West Midlands, place Shropshire second in reading, third in writing and third in maths.

There were five Shropshire schools where 100 per cent of their year six pupils achieved level four or above in reading, writing and mathematics including St Mary’s Church of England School in Bucknell and nine where all pupils made at least two levels progress in all three subjects including St Mary’s and the Bishop Hooper School.

Schools with significant improvement were included St Laurence CE Ludlow (24 per cent).

The key stage two tables confirm the percentage of children achieving the nationally expected level four or above in reading, writing and mathematics combined and the percentages of pupils who made expected or better than expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics separately (a calculationbased on their prior attainment at the age of seven).

Coun Ann Hartley,Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, praised the efforts of children, teachers, schools and the wider school communities for their hard work.