SOUTH Farnham School has been placed in the top three per cent of all primary schools in the country for phonic screening checks.

The news was given to the school by Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb, in a letter congratulating South Farnham on its success.

One hundred per cent of pupils reached or exceeded the pass mark.

The test is taken by all Year 1 children in the country and tests their ability to decode the sounds of words effectively, a step in ensuring they become fluent readers.