Pupils jump for joy as school is named in elite

Staff and pupils at Layton Primary School are celebrating after being praised by the government

For the second year running, teachers at Layton Primary School have been praised for their hard work in helping youngsters come on leaps and bounds in class.

Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, said in a letter: “We want to ensure that every child has the necessary fluency in reading, writing, and mathematics to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, and your school has provided this.

“Thank you for your hard work and professionalism in producing such high standards, and congratulations again to you and your staff for all you have achieved.”

The Meyler Avenue school’s success was measured by using test results at the end of key stage one (KS1), when most youngsters are seven years old, and comparing them against exam results at end of Year Six, when they are 11 and preparing for life at secondary school.

Headteacher Jonathan Clucas, who received a similar letter from Mr Gibb last year, as well as in 2013 when Layton placed in the top 250 nationally for improving progress for disadvantaged children, said: “As a school our success is based on many things, and we’re quite proud of how consistent it is.

“We’ve been in the highest seven per cent for four years now, but we’re not complacent, always looking to improve further.”

The school’s curriculum is based on top research that produces ‘exciting, engaging and extremely challenging’ lessons, Mr Clucas has said previously.

And education watchdog Ofsted, which gave Layton a rating of ‘good’ in 2013, said: “Pupils achieve well. Attainment is above average by the time pupils leave, and rising.”