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Manchester's doing well

Shelina Begum
8/ 8/2007

PRIMARY school children across Greater Manchester are improving their key skills of English, reading, maths and science.

National figures show a record number of 11-year-olds in England reaching the expected level for their age in these subjects.

And in Greater Manchester every subject matched or exceeded the national average with more pupils reaching level four - indicating children have the right numeracy and literacy skills - than last year.

The biggest improvements were in reading and science, where the results were up by two per cent.

Salford recorded the largest increase in children reaching the expected level, with results in English up from 74 per cent in 2006 to 79 per cent.

Results were also up by three per cent in reading, maths and science.

Salford councillor John Warmisham said: "It proves the time and effort being put in with the children has paid dividends.

"As a city our long-term investment in education is paying off."

Manchester finished bottom of the table in Greater Manchester for the second year running, despite improving on last year's results in all subjects except writing.

The city achieved the lowest percentage in all subjects.

Coun Sheila Newman said: "This year's results are, for Manchester, the best ever in the main subjects of maths, English and science.

"Results show a continued steady upward trend in line with, or slightly above, the national rate of improvement and this is down to the hard work and commitment of staff in schools across the city.

"Also good news is the encouraging progress made by boys, thanks again to the hard work of schools and Manchester education in tackling the issue of boys' underachievement.

"We recognise, however, that we still face challenges. We will continue to work hard over the next year and to support our schools in order to achieve further improvements."

Trafford recorded the highest percentage in all subjects, with Stockport finishing second in Greater Manchester.

But in both Stockport and Trafford the number of children reaching the expected level for writing fell by one per cent and two per cent respectively.

Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside and Wigan did better in all subjects.

Nationally boys have continued to catch up girls with record results in English, reading and writing.

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said: "Today's primary school children have achieved the best set of Key Stage 2 results we have ever seen, and I congratulate all pupils and teachers for their hard work and achievements.

"Over the last 10 years there has been substantial and sustained improvement at Key Stage 2.

"Compared to 1997, 100,000 more 11-year-olds are achieving the target level for their age in English and 90,000 in maths."