SWINDON’S primary schools fared better than expected in the latest KS2 results released yesterday.

An average of 46 per cent of pupils are meeting the expected standard compared to the national average of 53 per cent.

In areas of reading, pupils were found to be reaching the national benchmark although the county was found to have a worrying low standard of writing.

There had been concerns raised by Ofsted a few weeks ago about the town’s attainment rate by Year 6 pupils in light of new assessment criteria changes brought in at the start of summer.

The changes were brought in after the Department for Education said previous expectations of achievements were too low.

This more rigorous way of testing has seen the marking of SATS tests changed. Previously, pupils were previously graded on levels but this method was scrapped and now parents are given their child’s score and whether it meets the national average.

The government says all children must leave primary school with a good standard of reading, writing and maths.

The top performers in Swindon were Nythe Primary where 81 per cent of pupils achieved the benchmark.

Headteacher Sally Clarke said: "I knew we did very well but I didn’t know how we fared against other schools. I honestly wasn’t aware how high we were ranked especially with the new changes so I’m so excited to hear that.

“It is great to see that we have done good with our result but with my job as headteacher I am always striving to achieve better.

"We can always do better across the board but I am thrilled that we have done well in the tables because it is reassuring news for the staff, pupils but also parents in hearing that their children are achieving the level they should be.”

The worst performing school in Swindon was Liden Primary and Nursery School where only 18 per cent of their pupils achieved the expected level. Headteacher Vikki Marsh-Ballard did not respond to the Adver’s request for comment before going to print.

Swindon Borough Council have said while they recognise they need to improve their figure on writing, they are satisfied with the overall mark.

“Pupils in our primary schools are meeting the national average when it comes to reading, mathematics and grammar, including punctuation and spelling,” a spokesman said.

“Our schools are way behind others across the country when it comes to funding, so in that context they are doing a great job with the resources at their disposal.

“The league tables show that writing results are lower this year but, as we have previously indicated, this comes after the introduction of the new writing assessment and we know that our schools interpreted the guidance very strictly which was out of step with many other areas. We are expecting results to be back in line with the national average next year.”

Here’s the full list of primary schools with their percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard at KS2 where the national average is 53:

Abbey Meads Primary - 44%

Bridlewood Primary - 29%

Brook Field Primary - 60%

Catherine Wayte Primary - 53%

Chiseldon Primary - 67%

Colebrook Junior - 44%

Covingham Park - 45%

Drove Primary - 41%

East Wichel Primary - 37%

Eldene Primary - 36%

Even Swindon Primary - 32%

Ferndale Primary - 53%

Goddard Park Community Primary – 59%

Gorse Hill Primary – 41%

Grange Juniors – 37%

Greenmeadow Primary - 69%

Haydon Wick Primary - 55%

Haydonleigh Primary - 51%

Hazelwood Academy - 25%

Holy Cross Cath Primary - 51%

Holy Family Cath Primary - 47%

King William Street CofE Primary - 56%

Lainesmead Primary - 46%

Lawn Primary - 48%

Lethbridge Primary - 62%

Liden Primary - 18%

Millbrook Primary - 40%

Moredon Primary - 72%

Mountford Manor Primary - 41%

Nythe Primary - 81%

Oak Tree Primary - 43%

Oakhurst Primary - 43%

Oliver Tomkins CofE Junior - 26%

Orchid Vale Primary - 55%

Peatmoor Community Primary - 48%

Red Oaks Primary - 45%

Robert Le Kyng Primary - 45%

Rodbourne Cheney Primary - 68%

Ruskin Juniors - 43%

Seven Fields Primary - 65%

Shaw Ridge Primary - 57%

South Marston CofE Primary - 64%

Southfield Juniors - 42%

St Catherine’s Cath Primary -60%

St Francis CofE Primary - 32%

St Leonard’s CofE Primary - 50%

St Mary’s Catholic Primary - 64%

Swindon Academy - 27%

Tregoze Primary - 65%

Wanborough Primary - 62%

Westlea Primary - 32%

Westrop Primary - 69%

Wroughton Junior - 39%.