A Keighley district school is celebrating after chalking up top class SATs results.

Harden Primary has been revealed as one of the country’s 200 best performers in this year’s tests for ten and 11-year-olds.

And it was ranked third in Bradford district.

“We are absolutely delighted with the performance of our year six children,” headteacher, John Davie, told the Keighley News.

“The fantastic results we have achieved this year are down to excellent teaching, support from home and a creative and stimulating curriculum.

“And it’s not just about the class teacher – it’s due to good teaching throughout the school.”

Bradford district as a whole didn’t fare as well.

The figures – released last Thursday – show of all local authorities, Bradford had the third highest percentage of primary schools the government felt had fallen “below the floor”.

The key stage two performance tables reveal 22 schools – 16 per cent of Bradford’s primaries – are not reaching new, tougher minimum government standards.

Schools are deemed to be below the floor target if fewer than 60 per cent of their pupils reach level four or above in reading, writing and maths, and if pupils are also making below-average progress in each of these core skills.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the council’s executive member for children’s services, said primary schools had recently made progress at key stage two, but he admitted there were “disappointing elements” to this year’s results.

He added: “The progress our children are making in writing continues in line with the national average, and we are determined to make this the case with maths and reading, and indeed aspire to exceed the national average.

“We will continue to work with the Primary Improvement Partnership to review this year’s results and agree on the next steps.

“One of the ways in which we can help children improve their reading is through a new partnership we are developing with the National Literacy Trust, which we hope will start working with schools early next year. This district-wide strategy involves working with children, as well as their parents and businesses.

“We are currently reviewing our education improvement strategy, and the teaching of mathematics is one of the other areas we will focus our resources and energy on.”

Lothersdale Primary was among the leading performers in North Yorkshire, and was ranked second in the county.

Headteacher, Jo Robinson, said: “We are extremely proud the dedication and hard work of our staff and governors, the commitment and support from our parents and the passion for learning shown by our pupils, has been recognised by our achievements in the performance tables.

“We will continue to strive for excellence and build on this in the future to ensure all our pupils reach their full potential.”

l Laycock and Oldfield primary schools show as n/a on the tables because they have an insufficient number of pupils eligible for assessment. No results are listed under the Merlin Top entry because the school has become an academy since the tests.

l What do you think? We welcome letters on any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@keighleynews.co.uk or write to The Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD21 3AG. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.