IT WAS celebration time for two Hyndburn primary schools when they were named among the 100 most improved schools in the country according to the latest Government league tables.

Sacred Heart School, Church, and St Mary Magdalen’s School, Accrington, were both commended for their “sustained improvement” since 2004.

They were celebrating along with St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Great Harwood which topped this year's table.

It racked up an impressive total of 290 out of a possible 300 points – the best in Hyndburn.

The figure is for the number of pupils achieving Level 4 or above in key stage two SATS tests in English, maths and science taken at the age of 11.

Headteacher Graham Boyes said everyone at the school was delighted with the results – but figures alone were not the only measure of a school’s success.

He said: “We are very pleased with the results which we feel are an accurate reflection of how hard the children and staff have worked.

“We have exceeded our targets but I would not say we have a secret formula as other schools work in the same way.

“We are not looking to see where we appear in the table as we simply want to get the children to achieve their potential and do as well as they can. One year you might be first and the next you might be down at 10th.”

Congratulations were the order of the day for many other schools across the borough as the figures showed a huge improvement compared with last year’s totals.

Among them was Peel Park Primary School, Accrington, which achieved a score of 272 compared with last year’s 217.

Headteacher Judith Williams said: “The increase is significant but the tables are never a true reflection of all that goes on in a school. We have excellent staff here and the pupils have all worked really hard to achieve these results.”

Also celebrating was St Mary’s RC Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors, which rose from 200 last year to an impressive 271 this year.

Headteacher Tony Gallagher said: “We are delighted with the results as all the children have done really well and have put in a lot of time and effort, as have the staff.

“But I would not belittle the efforts of last year’s children who also put in a lot of hard work and did really well.”

One of the most startling results was for Spring Hill Primary School, Accrington, which continues to come on in leaps and bounds with a score of 162 – compared with 120 last year and 114 in 2005.

Headteacher Stephanie Grimshaw said: “The staff are continually working hard to ensure all children make good progress. When this is reflected in SATs results it is especially pleasing.

“Of course, each year group differs in its ability to meet national expectations and this is only one measure of pupils’ development and progress.”

At the bottom of the table was St Peter’s Primary School, Accrington, but at the time of going to press no-one at the school was available for comment.

CLICK HERE for the table in full ...