Key stage 2 results - best ever

This comes on the back of Sandwell being rated the fourth most improved authority in the Key Stage 2 tests last year.

In provisional figures just released, more Sandwell children than ever have reached the expected level in both English and Maths.

At more than a five per cent increase, the improvement in results is also the biggest year-on-year improvement ever recorded for Sandwell primary schools.

And education chiefs expect that when results are published by the DFE in September, it will show that the results are more than four per cent above last year's national average.

A delighted Councillor Bob Badham, cabinet member for children and families, said this shows the year-on-year improvement Sandwell schools have made for the last 10 years.

"This reflects the hard work and effort put in by council staff, schools and the children themselves. We done to all."

Councillor Badham said it was particularly pleasing to see the progress there has been improvements in the number of 11 year olds reaching level 4 or above in Maths.

In addition, a much greater proportion or pupils reached higher levels in both subjects. This was particularly noticeable in English.

The progress made by children between the ages of seven and 11, has also improved dramatically in both subjects.