Two Wolverhampton primary schools are among the very best in the country, according to a prestigious schools guide.

St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School, in Penn, has been ranked 45th among the top 500 primary schools in this year's Sunday Times Schools Guide, while Manor Primary School in Woodcross is 185th.

The Guide is compiled using recent exam results. St Bartholomew's was ranked 45th after an impressive performance by pupils in 2015's Standard Assessment Tests, or SATS. The school moved up from 89th place in 2014 after 64% of pupils achieved Level 5 or higher in reading, writing and maths, compared to 57% the year before.

The Outstanding rated school's Headteacher Katy Kent said: "I'm very pleased of the achievement of the pupils and the staff - it reflects their dedication and hard work.

"It is as a result of personalised teaching programmes for all children and the belief across the school that everyone can achieve. In all aspects of school life the child is very firmly at the centre of all that we do."

Meanwhile, there were also celebrations for Manor Primary School where 54% of pupils achieved Level 5 or above in reading, writing and maths in 2015, up from 45% the year before.

Anita Cliff OBE, Executive Headteacher with Manor Multi Academy Trust, said: "It is wonderful to see Manor once again in the best performing schools list.

"It reflects the hard work and dedication of a very talented team at Manor Primary. Everyone is proud of the children's achievements and the amazing progress they have made."

Other Wolverhampton schools to make it into the top 500 based on attainment at GCSE and A level include Wolverhampton Girls High School, which rose to 44th in the list of the top 500 state secondary schools after 73% of grades were gained at A*, A or B, and 83% of GCSEs were gained at A* or A.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Grammar School was ranked 243rd among the top 400 independent secondary schools after 68.8% of A levels were passed at A*, A or B and 57% of GCSEs were either A* or A. Tettenhall College rose to 393rd after 36% of A level grades were gained at A*, A or B and 28% of GCSEs were either A* or A.

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "It is fantastic to see schools like St Bartholomew's and Manor Primary scoring so highly in the national rankings, and this is down to the dedication and hard work of the teachers, leadership teams, parents and pupils.

"As a council, we are continuing to work hard to raise educational standards in Wolverhampton still further, and for more local schools to be highlighted in this prestigious guide in the future."

The Sunday Times Schools Guide identifies the highest achieving schools in the UK in a number of categories, including the top 500 English state primary schools, the top 500 state secondary schools, the top 400 independent secondary schools and the top 100 English preparatory schools.

  • released: Tuesday 13 December, 2016