A Wolverhampton primary school has been ranked one of the very best in the country for the progress made by its disadvantaged pupils.

Type=image;ImageID=15936;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=St Andrew's, one of the very best in the country;TitleClass=strong;

Results put St Andrew's C E Primary School in Whitmore Reans 18th out of some 25,000 schools nationally for the progress made in writing between Key Stages 1 and 2 by its disadvantaged pupils in 2017 - and in recognition the school received a Star Award from the City of Wolverhampton Council recently.

The Coleman Street school's pupils come from a variety of backgrounds and the vast majority speak English as an additional language, but teachers have demonstrated a can do attitude to achieve the best for their children. Headteacher Lisa Thompson said: "It is an absolute pleasure to be the headteacher at St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, and I feel extremely privileged to work with such a dedicated team of professionals who go over and above for every single child in the school.

"It is through the sheer determination of each and every member of staff here that the school is going from strength to strength. The children at St Andrew's deserve the very best chances in life and we strive to deliver this by not only having high academic expectations but also through our support and nurture for vulnerable children and their families."

St Andrew's has been working with the council's School Improvement Team to share the secrets of its success with other local schools, hosting seminars for teachers in which they observed lessons and learnt from their methodology. It has also welcomed visitors from other councils to showcase the good work the school has done around reading and writing.

Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "St Andrew's has demonstrated that being from a disadvantaged background need not be a barrier to learning, and the performance of its pupils is something that everyone associated with the school can be exceptionally proud of and should celebrate."

In recognition of its achievements, St Andrew's was named the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Stronger Communities category at the City of Wolverhampton Council's annual Star Awards recently.

Judges said: "St Andrew's has gone beyond what is expected to ensure its young people achieve their potential."

Mrs Thompson added: "The children are rightly proud to be pupils at St Andrew's and this shines through to visitors at the school, and it is an honour for the school to receive a Star Award in recognition of all our hard work."

  • released: Monday 16 July, 2018