Schools move up league tables

In 2006, only the London borough of Hackney posted a poorer primary school performance than Bradford - with the district finishing 149th out of 150 local education authorities across the country.

However, this year the district has risen to 136th place - the joint-fourth best improvement made nationwide - on results recorded this summer in Key Stage Two (KS2) exams.

Four Bradford district schools: Hill Top, Myrtle Park, Parkwood and Bingley St Joseph's, have also been named among the top five per cent performing primaries in the country. And a further four: Atlas, Menston, Holybrook and Heaton are among the top 100 nationwide according to the improvement made in KS2 exams since 2004.

Atlas Primary in Manningham was named in 19th place nationwide - the best-performing school over the three-year period in the district.

Head teacher Wahid Zaman said: "I am ecstatic! This ranking reflects the hard work that has gone on over a number of years by the staff. We have also had a lot of help from Education Bradford. It is a good platform on which to build."

On the district's succees, John Gaskin, Education Bradford managing director, said it reflected "steady and significant improvements in the quality of leadership, teaching, learning and assessment in schools" as well as "better focused and targeted support from Education Bradford".

Mr Gaskin added there had been "no quick fix" to the problems which the privately-owned authority had taken on when it started its ten-year £360 million contract to drive up standards six years ago. "This is about long-term sustainable improvement," he added.

Councillor Colin Gill, Bradford Council's executive member for services for children and young people, said: "These results are fantastic and we should all join in congratulating teachers, governors, parents and pupils on their achievements.

"Improvement takes time and we are seeing the culmination of several years' work. A sound foundation at primary level is essential to success in later life and that is why we will keep up the drive for improvement to help ensure that, in five years, every child in Bradford will be educated in a primary school which is ranked good or better by Ofsted."

Figures for maths, English and science all rose this year. In 2006, 68 per cent of the district's 11-year-olds achieved the target Level Four in maths; 73 per cent in English. and 79 per cent in science.

This year, 73 per cent hit or bettered the benchmark in maths; 75 per cent achieved the feat in English and 83 per cent made the grade in science.

The gap has also narrowed between the Bradford and national improvement rate since the Education Bradford contract began.

Mr Gaskin said: "Bradford's aggregated scores for mathematics, science and English have improved by 12 points whilst the national improvement is three points, making Bradford the fourth best improved authority nationally.

"Our collective task over the next year is to build on the progress made in mathematics and science and to accelerate improvements in English."

Kath Tunstall, the Council's strategic director for children's services, said: "There has been significant progress across the district and this is down to the fact primary schools are focusing on the core skills - English, maths and science - to help raise standards and this has definitely paid off with these fantastic results. Well done to everyone."

Keighley Labour MP Ann Cryer welcomed the news. She said: "Government policy has been to try and redress the balance between what could be termed failing schools and schools which are very successful.

"What we need to be looking for in Bradford is sustained improvement. It is not about getting to the top of the league table because Bradford will never be there.

"We are achieving an enormous amount. I am delighted by these results which have moved on considerably. We must sing the praises of the teachers in Bradford that are working very hard in some difficult schools."

Councillor David Ward, Bradford Liberal Democrat group education spokesman, said teachers, pupils and Education Bradford deserved praise for turning around standards.

Improving fortunes had been a difficult task, as many people "did not really know how bad the situation was" when Education Bradford took over in 2001.

"For goodness sake let us acknowledge the work that has been done - not only by teachers but by Education Bradford too," said Coun Ward.

Coun Ralph Berry, Bradford Labour group education spokesman said "every effort" must now be made to "sustain the improvement".

"Money has been put into the right areas and there has been increased targeting on effective performance and practise. This is the sort of platform we need to build on. But we now have to get everyone believing that we can make further jumps forward."

However, it is not all good news. Seven Bradford district schools have also been named among the worst 200 in the country for truancy. They are: Whetley, Fagley, Bowling Park, Usher Street and Fearnville in Bradford as well as Ingrow in Keighley and Carlinghow Princess Royal Junior and Infant School in Batley.