Community
Manchester tops the class in Sats tests
Manchester’s Jewish primary schools excelled in the Sats performance tests taken by 11-year-olds in the summer.
December 3, 2009 10:42
Manchester’s Jewish primary schools excelled in the Sats performance tests taken by 11-year-olds in the summer.
December 3, 2009 10:42Manchester’s Jewish primary schools excelled in the Sats performance tests taken by 11-year-olds in the summer.
Newly-published government figures identify North Cheshire Jewish Primary as one of the county’s top performing schools, with pupils achieving a 100 per cent pass rate at level four in science, maths and English. Taking into account its “contextual value-added measure”, which rates schools by the progress of pupils from the age of seven to 11, North Cheshire also topped the borough chart for Stockport.
“We are thrilled and take pride in the ongoing achievements of our wonderful pupils who are so eager to learn both within and beyond our school environment,” said headteacher Jackie Savage. “Year 6 2009 were a fantastic group of pupils who applied themselves 100 per cent to their work and behaviour and deserve much praise.
“The wonderful results are, of course, also a tribute to the hard work, professionalism and expertise of our staff, our committed and talented governors, our very supportive parents and our partnership with Stockport local authority.”
King David Primary and Broughton Jewish were other high achievers and Bury and Whitefield Jewish Primary also scored well in average points per pupil and value-added performance. Governors’ chair Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe attributed this to “the attitude of the staff that every child matters. The fact that we are third in Bury shows that we have fulfilled what we set out to do.”
London success stories include Simon Marks in Hackney, where acting head Norma Blair-Clayden highlighted “the school’s practice of using the same experienced teacher to teach children in year five and then on into year six”.
At the Independent Jewish Day School in Hendon, headteacher Amanda Lando was “thrilled” that all pupils had achieved level four in science, maths and English. “We maximise the potential of every child in a caring, nurturing environment where learning is fun and exciting.”
Ms Lando added that the school’s improved value-added score reflected the “excellent systems in place. Every member of staff understands the assessment procedures and staff re-evaluate every child each term, assessing the needs of each one.”
The worst results of a Jewish school were recorded by the Clore Tikva Primary in Redbridge. However, headteacher Lenna Rosenberg stressed that Clore Tikva “works extremely hard with pupils, particularly with the special needs pupils. We are currently addressing areas that we need to develop. We continually reflect on our practice and have put in place a number of strategies to improve this year.” At its last Ofsted inspection in 2007, the school was graded as “good with outstanding features”.
Educational philanthropist Benjamin Perl said the results showed that, although diverse, the community had “the foundations to produce excellent schools wherever they are. In principle, we know what we are doing. Our parents and school staff are united behind our children’s education.”
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