Redbridge primary schools above national average in league tables but individual schools face challenges

Redbridge primary schools have topped the national average for achievement in core subjects once again.

82 per cent of children in the borough achieved level four or above in both English and maths in 2012, according to figures released today by the Department of Education.

The figure topped the national average of 79 per cent and last year’s figure of 75 per cent.

Around 90 per cent of children are also making their expected progress in both subjects.

Some schools have dramatically improved in the last year, including Highlands Primary School, in Highlands Gardens, Ilford, which rocketed from 60 to 83 per cent of children achieving the benchmark in literacy and numeracy.

Aldersbrook Primary School, in Harpenden Road, Wanstead, achieved a staggering 93 per cent, compared to 76 per cent last year.

Gearies Junior School, in Gants Hill Crescent, topped the borough table, with 98 per cent of pupils achieving level four in English and maths, closely followed by Christchurch Primary School, in Wellesley Road, and Redbridge Primary School, in College Gardens, both with 96 per cent.

But at the other end of the scale, at Winston Way Primary School the figure was only 61 per cent – an improvement on 48 per cent in 2011 - and Roding Primary School, in Roding Lane North, with 65 per cent.

The school in Winston Way, Ilford, also has the borough’s highest proportion of children who do not speak English as a first language.

More than 95 per cent of pupils primarily use other languages, compared to just over six per cent at Wanstead Church School, in Church Path.