THE primary schools which are top and bottom of the league tables in Suffolk and Essex have been revealed.

Kate McGrath

THE primary schools which are top and bottom of the league tables in Suffolk and Essex have been revealed.

Following the publication of Key Stage 2 results yesterday, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has ranked each school in the country.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Ipswich is among the top 200 schools in the country. All pupils achieved a Level 4 or above in the three core subjects, English, maths and science.

Meanwhile in Colchester, St Andrew's Junior School was listed as one of the most improved schools in the country.

Headteacher Richard Nitsche said that although the results are a “crude measurement of success”, he was pleased with the improvement.

“The results paint part of an overall picture. The children love coming to school to learn and we love having them here.”

Rendlesham Primary School came second overall in Suffolk, while Wetheringsett Church of England primary school, with only 71 pupils, ranked third.

Acting headteacher Nyree Martin, of Wetheringsett Primary School, said: “We are very pleased with the results.

“It is testament of the hard work of staff to ensure our children always achieve the very best of their ability, both in curriculum and extra-curriculum activities.”

Despite these top performing schools, the EADT revealed yesterday how the number of Suffolk pupils achieving the required Level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 exams fell below the national average.

Teaching unions said the abolition of all 40 middle schools under the Suffolk County Council reorganisation was a major reason. They said the review was causing disruption and uncertainty - leading to pupils and teachers leaving the county's education system for neighbouring counties.

Some of the weaker performing schools in Suffolk and Essex include St Michael's Primary School and Nursery, Colchester, The Willows Primary School, Ipswich, Ravenswood Community Primary School, Ipswich, Frobisher Primary and Nursery School, Clacton and St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Toppesfield.

National figures show that across England, 81% of 11-year-olds reached Level 4 in English last year, 79% reached this level in maths and 88% reached this level in science.