ALL Saints Primary School in Clayton-le-Moors was named as Hyndburn's top primary school in Government league tables published this week.

The Church Street school achieved an aggregate score of 291 out of a possible 300 for the number of pupils achieving the expected level four or above in tests for English, maths and science.

But the tables drew criticism from headteacher Mr Peter Jump, who said the statistics were misleading and did not take into account the efforts of pupils.

Mr Jump said: "Once again, I would like to reiterate that the publication of these results does a disservice to parents and children.

These statistics are based on the results of three tests taken by approximately 14 per cent of children at each school in May.

"They imply that any child achieving a level three has 'failed', when in fact those children are highly likely to have made very significant progress from a starting point well below average.

"They fail to take into consideration the many variables that affect schools and the fact that education is about whole child development and not just flawed statistics."

The school was one of four in Hyndburn to achieve a 100 per cent pass rate for science, alongside second-placed Hippings Methodist, West End in Oswaldtwistle and St John's in Baxenden.

Mr Terry Haslam-Jones, headteacher at Hippings, said: "The children have done very well and I am very proud of them. They work hard every year and always do their best."

One of the most improved schools compared to last year was Sacred Heart in Church, which saw its aggregate score jump from 180 to 252.

Headteacher Mrs Jackie Williams said: "We are very pleased but it is important to remember the statistics only show what results the children produced on one day. They do not reflect the broad and balanced curriculum they get every day.''

Huncoat Primary School, which was in 10th place last year, saw its aggregate fall from 248 to 157.

Headteacher Mr David Price said: "In recent years we have been very pleased with our SATS results so we were disappointed that the trend of improvement has not been maintained this time. But the value-added measure shows most children have made average progress during Key Stage Two and there has been some very marked progress made by those pupils who achieved level five.''

At the bottom of the list was St Mary Magdalen's Primary School on Devon-shire Street, Accrington.

Headteacher Mrs Justine Chadwick agreed the tables were misleading.

She said: "They tell you nothing about the progress that individual children have made over the year. I am aware that many colleagues at the top of the table share these views.

"They put pressure on headteachers and teachers to train children to pass a given test, and in my view that is not what education is about."