Sulivan Primary School pupils singing in assembly
New figures show primary school pupils in Hammersmith & Fulham are leaping ahead of their peers when it comes to reading, writing and maths.
Key Stage 2 results published last week by the Department for Education reveal that 84 per cent of primary-age students in the borough achieved the expected Level 4 and above in reading, writing and mathematics this year – far ahead of the 79 per cent UK average.
The result puts H&F in 11th place nationally and ahead of the 82 per cent average for inner London boroughs.
The top scoring local schools were Sulivan Primary in Fulham, which was recently saved from closure, and Good Shepherd RC Primary in Shepherds Bush. Both skills achieved an outstanding 97 per cent pass rate in reading, writing and maths.
The borough’s 84 per cent pass rate is a significant improvement on 2013, when primary schools scored 79 per cent in the three key areas, beating the national average of 76 per cent.
Cllr Sue Macmillan, H&F Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “This a fantastic result for the borough which proves how good our primary schools are at making sure pupils get ahead in the key subjects of reading, writing and maths.
“I am particularly pleased that Sulivan Primary School has shown once again what a vital role it plays in educating local children to the highest standard. They did this despite, until recently, facing closure.”
Sulivan primary, in Peterborough Road, Fulham, faced closure until that decision was overturned in September. Its headteacher Wendy Aldridge was quick to praise the work of the teaching and support staff in pushing the school to the top of the league.
“Obviously I’m absolutely thrilled that the children have worked so hard, with amazing achievement,” she said.
“Our amazing teaching and support staff team have worked tirelessly to help the children, and we have systems in place to meet all the children’s needs.”
Aside from teamwork, what does she see as the qualities which have helped Sulivan achieve so much? “Consistency and building on our skills,” she said.
Wendy has been head teacher at Sulivan for five years, although her links with the school are deep-rooted. She first began teaching there back in 1987.
