Children are leaving Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge primary schools with some of the best results in Kent, according to latest ranking tables.
Based on assessments of Year 6 pupils in 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) data shows maintained schools and academies are making the grade for reading, writing and mathematics.
A table which ranks primaries based on the percentage of pupils meeting benchmark standards in all three assessments at the end of Key Stage 2 saw a trio of local schools break into the county top 20.
Fordcombe Church of England Primary School was eighth in Kent with 94 per cent of leavers meeting expected targets.
St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School in Tonbridge (which ranked 12) and St Peter’s Church of England School (18) in Tunbridge Wells were also listed highly among the 581 primaries ranked in the county.
Looking just at schools within a four mile radius of both towns, other high achievers included: Groombridge St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School, Leigh Primary School and Speldhurst Church of England Primary School.
Also on the list is Claremont Primary School in Tunbridge Wells whose position on the Kent wide table [42] made an early Christmas present for Headteacher Sylvia Crockett when it was released last week.
She said: “We focus on a curriculum that is exciting, relevant and fun so through that the children will learn reading, writing and mathematics.
“These are our best results and I think it is great that all of the Tunbridge Wells schools are working hard to raise results, I think most of the primaries have done better this year.
“We work closely together in the town and we see it as a collaboration. But we try not to focus on the assessments too much, we focus on the curriculum and preparing pupils for secondary school.”
One of the most improved schools in Tunbridge Wells was Temple Grove Academy which saw particular improvement in reading and mathematics.
A spokesman said: “This improvement is down to the hard work of both the children and our dedicated teaching staff.”
County Councillor Roger Gough, portfolio holder for education, said across Kent schools had reached an average end of Key Stage 2 performance of 64 per cent of pupils meeting targets.
This compared to 61 per cent nationally and 62 per cent in the South East.
He added: “These results show Kent pupils have access to some of the best schools in England and staff, governors, pupils and parents should be very proud of their achievements.”
