A GROUP of village schools that united under a new trust earlier this year are celebrating their first set of SATs results.

Children from All Cannings, Woodborough, Bishops Cannings, Chirton and Rushall primaries, who are part of Equa, performed above the national average when they took tests in reading, writing and maths this summer.

A spokesman for the trust said: “All Equa primary schools have bettered their performance in 2019, providing a consistently high quality of education across the age range, with rapid improvements seen in many areas. “Equa formally formed as a trust in April this year, but have been working together on school improvement for the past year.

“There are large numbers of children achieving age related expectations in all areas of reading, writing and mathematics with average scores well above national outcomes in all areas.

“The average for all five schools in reading is 84 per cent, in writing 81per cent and in mathematics 85 per cent compared to national data of 73 per cent, 78 per cent and 79 per cent respectively.”

A large number of children at the five schools are performing well above what is expected for pupils of their age.

The spokesman said: “At All Cannings the number achieving beyond expectation is twice the national average., with 55per cent achieving this in reading, 40 per cent in writing and 45 per cent in mathematics, with Woodborough pupils close on their heels achieving 36 per, 32 per cent and 59 per above the expected standard.

“In spelling, punctuation and grammar the percentage of children achieving above the expected standard was 80 per cent and 68 per cent.

“Bishops Cannings, Chirton and Rushall Church of England Schools are celebrating exceeding the national expectation across all subjects this year.”

All Cannings head Richard Borman, who is also school improvement lead for Equa Multi Academy Trust said: “The hard work and effort of the children, parents and staff within all five schools have given us a great deal to celebrate and being able to share and draw upon each other’s strengths has already started to have a positive impact for all.

“With an innovative, experienced school improvement team now established and secondary expertise providing an extra dimension, the prospects for the progress and attainment of future pupils looks very positive.”

Sarah Lowkis, who is head of Lavington School and ceo of Equa said: “I am very proud of all the children who have achieved so well in all Equa schools.

“We are at the start of a great educational journey together, improving our schools facilities, widening opportunities for children and improving educational standards.”