PRIMARY school pupils in Wiltshire are achieving better grades for reading, writing and maths, with 88 per cent taught in schools that are good or outstanding, according to the latest government figures.

The figure is up six per cent on last year, according to the Department for Education, which has released in its most recent performance tables across the country.

In Wiltshire, eight out of 10 children achieve the benchmark of level 4 or above in the three core subjects of reading, writing and maths.

Colerne Primary School was ranked top in the county for achieving with 100 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 in all core areas – something which head teacher Rob Parsons was delighted by. He said: “It is lovely and it is an absolutely great achievement, and we are really proud that we have been recognised for the hard work of everyone including the children and staff but also the parents mums and dads.

“I have been in teaching for many years and I still love it. It is all about the individual child and these league tables are only one measure.

“We also emphasise life skills such as resilience, risk-taking and respect and they are key for what we do.”

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary in Great Cheverell was ranked second with Sutton Benger Primary in third place in the county.

They are just three of 17 schools to achieve a 100 per cent average across all three, which is then ranked based on eligibility numbers of pupils to take the Key Stage 2 assessments.

The 80 per cent attainment figure is up on last year’s results which show high proportions of pupils continue to make the expected gains in their knowledge and understanding of core subjects with 92 per cent, 95 per cent and 89 per cent making expected progress in reading, writing and maths respectively.

Seend Church of England VA Primary School was highly-placed nationally for its pupils’ achievement of level 5 grades.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I’m very pleased to see that a large number of our schools in Wiltshire are good or outstanding and that the commitment and hard work of pupils, teachers and head teachers is having such a positive impact on exam results.

“Congratulations to pupils and schools who have achieved such great results.”

At the bottom of the performance tables was Chilton Foliat Church of England School which only saw 38 per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark level 4.