Ethos change sees St Martin’s soar

PUPILS at a quartet of Oldham schools have achieved some of the best results in the country in this year’s SATs tests

At St Martin’s School, the results completed a remarkable turnaround after every 11 year old achieved at least the expected grade (level 4) in this year’s English and maths SATs.

St Martin’s has seen its results jump from just 57 per cent in 2008. Proud head Diane Wright said: “A new management team has instigated a changed ethos, a culture of high expectations now exists where every pupil is encouraged and supported in reaching their aspirational targets both in the classroom and beyond.

“Pupils, parents, teachers and governors have all worked extremely hard and the impact of this fantastic team work has been amazingly improved results in 2010 and 2011 of which we are all incredibly proud.”

It is the second year in three that St Joseph’s School in Shaw school has notched up 100 per cent results in the national curriculum tests — finishing ninth among this year’s top performers.

Deputy head and year-6 teacher Steve Hill said the results were fantastic — but stressed that it was not all about league tables.

He added: “We are so very proud of all our pupils and their achievements here. The children are simply fantastic and a delight to teach — always giving their best in all they do. We have a great team of staff who work so hard.Our general philosophy is to work hard, play hard and this brings out the best in the children in every way: academically, physically and spiritually.”

Perfect scores also put St Chad’s, Uppermill and Whitegate End, Chadderton in the country’s top 200 performing schools.

Christ Church, Denshaw, notched up perfect results for the second year running but with only eight children sitting the tests this year, it does not make it into the country’s top 200.

The figures show the performance of 11 year olds in this year’s key stage two English and maths tests, and how much progress they have made since the age of seven.

Oldham is ranked 103rd out of 153 local education authorities for its results — down 42 places from last year and its lowest since 2004.

A total of 73 per cent of the borough’s pupils achieved level 4 in maths and English, down from 75 per cent last year and compared to 74 per cent nationally.

Clarksfield’s results put it in the bottom 200 schools in England.



The full table is available in tonight’s paper edition and eChron