A HAYDON Bridge school is celebrating impressive SATs results just three years after becoming a primary.

Year 6 pupils at Shaftoe Trust Primary have achieved an overall score of 75 per cent, high above this year’s national average of 53 per cent.

It means 75 per cent of the youngsters achieved the “expected level” or better, in reading, writing, and maths.

Headteacher Gill Woodward praised the commitment of pupils and staff in what she described as a team effort.

And Mrs Woodward is confident that the 11-year-olds are well equipped for the next stage in their educational development, at secondary school. She said: “We are very pleased for the children in Year 6. They have bags of confidence and have done really well.

“They have grown up as young people, grown in both confidence and resilience, and are ready for the next stage.

“In terms of the school’s score, 75 per cent reached the expected level, and our individual scores were better than the national pass rate.

“The staff are a team here. We all care about the children and their development, that is what drives us.”

Many of Shaftoe Trust’s 16 pupils in Year 6 enjoyed an educational visit to London in June, a trip which was also hailed a success in terms of boosting their overall development.

Mrs Woodward became headteacher two years ago, succeeding the long-serving Audrey Cox.

She added: “In terms of pupil numbers, this was our first big Year 6, if you like.”

Shaftoe Trust was one of six first schools which became primaries in September 2013, increasing their upper age limit from nine to 11.