PRIMARY pupils are celebrating their success after topping the town’s league tables.
The progress of pupils at Marchbank Free School, Darlington, was rated as being well above average for both reading and mathematics in the government’s latest progress report, securing them the number one spot from over 30 other primary schools in the town.
The key national figures indicate the overall progress performance pupils make between the end of Key Stage 1 and the completion of Key Stage 2 compared to other primary pupils across the country.
Principal Mandy Southwick said: “All of the children here at Marchbank Free School have an education health and care plan outlining their own specific complex learning, social and emotional needs.
“Each one of the pupils has failed to succeed in the mainstream system, where it has not been possible to meet their complex needs. Many of them have at some time experienced multiple exclusions and time out of school for significant periods.
“We recognise that our children do always make good progress, in part due to our low class sizes, however sometimes we may have year groups with more complex learning needs when we won’t top the league tables – so it’s great to be able to celebrate when we do.”
Marchbank Free School helps children re-engage with school life and begin to learn.
The school provides an exciting curriculum, which supports the development of the whole child, recognising the importance of academic achievement alongside unlocking potential and removing barriers. This it achieves through a number of approaches including creative arts, forest school, sport, music and enrichment.
It also combines the most up to date research, such as neurosciences, attachment therapy and child development, to ensure a lively and engaging learning environment.
“We are so proud of our pupils, our staff and the incredible support we get from parents, carers and friends of Marchbank Free School,” added Mrs Southwick.
“The progress our pupils have made is outstanding, even compared to other mainstream primary schools, and we are very pleased that the achievement of each child has been recognised by our school’s position in these tables.”