SCHOOLS in the local area have achieved among the best results in the country in National Curriculum tests, with St Mary's Primary, Chiddingfold, coming top of the class.

The results of this year's key stage two tests for children aged 11 years have been published in a report by Surrey County Council.

All of the schools in Haslemere and the surrounding area scored over the national average in each of the subjects, with St Mary's scoring an outstanding 100 per cent in English and science and pupils just missing out on full marks in Maths with a score of 81 per cent.

The tests were taken at all of the schools in May of this year, and head teacher of St Mary's, Paul Bull, took up his post in September.

Mr Bull said that, along with the school's governors, he was delighted with the results, which he said were a clear indicator of the dedication and hard work of both the pupils and the staff.

The results show a continued good performance at Key Stage two and Mr Bull commented that they proved the quality of teaching and the push for higher standards.

And he added: "What the results cannot show is that, like other primary schools, the education we provide the children in our area is much, more than just gaining good results in maths, English and science: anybody walking into a primary school would see this."

Children at St Bartholomew's Primary, Haslemere, also achieved some excellent results, with scores of 100 per cent in science, 88 per cent in maths and 79 per cent in English.

Headteacher of the school, Christine McCracken, told The Herald she was very pleased with the school's results.

"The test scores are a credit to the pupils, teachers and parents. Everybody has worked together to make sure the children did as well as they possibly could."

But, she added, although the tests are helpful in assessing the abilities of some of the pupils, they do not reflect some of the marvellous achievements made by children in lower ability groups.

Scores at Shottermill Junior School and Beaconhill Community school were also high. Shottermill pupils scored 97 per cent in science, 86 per cent in English and 75 per cent in maths.

Pupils at Beacon Hill scored 96 per cent in science, 85 per cent in English and 77 per cent in maths.

The report gives details of other schools in Surrey including the results of pupils from St Bartholomew's Primary, Shottermill Junior School, and Beaconhill Community Primary.

A spokesman from Surrey County Council explained that when comparing results between the different schools or from year to year, parents should bear in mind that the tables do not take into account the impact of pupils who were absent on the day of the tests or unable to take the test for other reasons.

They are also unable to show the progress that pupils have made while they have been at the school.

Commenting on the county's results, Surrey County Council's executive member for children and young people, Kay Hammond, said: "This is a tremendous achievement and I congratulate teachers on managing to achieve the results they have, despite an increase in bureaucracy and problems with recruitment."

The average results for the whole county showed that Surrey pupils were eight per cent above the national average in English and five per cent above the national average in science and maths.