Top performing schools revealed

The Government released figures showing that Dales schools are among the highest achieving in the county.

Figures within the table show the percentage of year six pupils attaining the expected level, Level 4, in English and maths, the percentage of high achieving year six pupils reaching Level 5, the level expected of a 14–year–old, in both subjects and the school’s value added score, which shows how well it helps pupils to progress.

Schools such as Bonsall Primary School, Cromford Primary School and South Darley Primary School topped the charts in all three figures.

Head teacher of Bonsall Primary School, Lesley Murhall, was thrilled with the outcome.

“We are proud of out pupils’ achievements,” she said.

“We have a really really creative curriculum.

“We believe children learn when they are happy and our children are very happy.”

The school consists of 76 pupils and Ms Murhall claims the youngsters are supported in whatever interests them.

“We make sure children can access what interests them,” she added.

She said performing arts and sports were popular subjects among the children and during the summer some of the pupils performed a Shakespeare’s classic tale A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In comparison, Castle View Primary School scores were the lowest overall out of all the schools in the Dales.

Sarah Bradnock, chair of governors at the school, said: “We want the very best for the children at Castle View Primary and although the results may have been disappointing we are doing all we can to improve the situation.

“We have a team of hard working staff who want the best outcomes for all of our children.”