PRIMARY schoolchildren, teachers and parents across Redcar and Cleveland are celebrating test results and education standards well above the national average.
Provisional Key Stage 2 (KS2) results for primary school students aged seven to 11 showed 68.8% of Redcar and Cleveland children achieved expected or above expected levels in reading, writing and maths. That compares to 61% of children nationally.
The success in maths continued to be a particular strength. A total of 83.5% of pupils were at expected standard compared to 75% nationally.
Councillor Craig Hannaway, Cabinet Member for Children praised the commitment of parents, the partnerships teachers have forged between schools, school volunteers, supportive businesses and the hard-working children themselves for the continuing success.
He said: “Despite the raising of the bar in terms of standards in the new school curriculum our schools have ensured that children meet, and in many cases exceeded expectations.
“Redcar and Cleveland children are receiving some of the best education in the country. Their standards compare favourably with many London boroughs. Our children and families should rightly be proud of the results, and their hard work and commitment in working with schools to ensure our young people are best prepared for the challenges of the secondary school curriculum.”
Barbara Shaw, Director of Children and Families, also highlighted schools partnerships as a key reason for the good results. She said: “The whole community has worked together to help ensure these children have the best start in life. From the parents, teachers, volunteers who help with reading and support, the businesses who support the schools and the council teams who provide expertise and additional capacity, it is evident that their combined efforts have driven this continued improvement in standards.”