Merton’s primary school children are performing above the national average, according to new figures from the Department for Education.

Figures show 90 per cent of the borough’s 10 and 11 year olds are achieving above the national average in reading - up 4 per cent on the national average.

For writing 89 per cent of children were performing above the national average – up 2 per cent.

While in maths 86 per cent were achieving above average standards - up one per cent.

Results for progress in reading and writing were recorded as the second highest in London.

Councillor Martin Whelton, cabinet member for education said: “Providing a good quality education to all our school children in Merton is a huge priority for us.

“Education changes lives and opens up opportunities to people.

“I am pleased with the way Merton is performing and the hard work of all our teaching staff, pupils and their families is paying off.

“We continue to try and bridge the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are better off, and have narrowed the gap in achievement between these two groups. “We are committed to continuing our work in schools to ensure our performance carries on improving over the years to come.”

The good news for primary schools comes shortly after the borough’s secondary schools were ranked as having the second lowest standards of education in London.

In its annual report for the 2012/13 financial year, Ofsted placed Merton 31st out of 32 London boroughs for the standard of its secondary schools and 100th out of all local authorities in the UK.

Coun Whelton defended the ranking saying that since analysis for the report was carried out standards in Merton had improved with 84 per cent of schools in Merton now rated good or outstanding.

 

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