Primary school league tables have been released by the government – and in Cornwall Pensilva primary emerged ranked first in the league, and therefore among the top schools nationwide.

Of its 21 pupils who were eligible to take the standard assessment tests last summer, 100 per cent achieved level four or above in English, science and mathematics. Head teacher Jean Snell said it had been a team effort, and that the school had high expectations for its pupils. She also stressed that the staff regarded each child individually, rather than a statistic.

She said: 'The staff are committed and work hard. They had three special needs pupils on the register who achieved level four, and three were taken off the register due to their achievements.'

Impressive

At Landulph 94 per cent of the 17 pupils eligible to sit the tests achieved level four or above in English, with l00 per cent reaching that level in science and mathematics. This lends the school an overall score of 294 - only six points off the highest possible total obtainable.

Quethiock CE VA school kept up its impressive score with the same total of 294 - one point higher than last year's 293.

However, both head teachers stressed that they were not completely in favour of the tables. Patsy Bradshaw at Landulph said: 'We have reservations about the league tables. We are obviously delighted that our children have achieved so highly, but they don't tell the whole story.

Qualities

'A school that achieves good academic results is important, but there are other valued qualities such as sport, music, drama, self esteem and confidence.'

David Day, the head at Quethiock, said that although the school had been so successful he would rather the results were not published.

Mr Day explained: 'I believe in the tests themselves, but results fluctuate wildly from year to year, especially with smaller schools.'

Primary schools with ten or less eligible pupils are not included in the league tables. Many head teachers have pointed out that those schools with a large number of special needs pupils are naturally less likely to achieve a high position in the table, although such children may achieve exceptional results for their ability, such as level three. They add that for some pupils attaining a level one is worthy of great praise.

Chairman of Cornwall's education committee, Meg Breckon, said: 'Once again Cornwall's results are well in excess of the national average, and this undoubtedly points to high overall standards.

Unique

However, we remind everyone, as always, that so-called 'league tables' do not give the whole picture, and any statistical information is open to a number of interpretations.'

Chair of the primary school data group, Geoff Aver, said: 'Every year group within a school is unique with its own talents. Because of this it is rare to find a school whose results consistently increase year on year.

Schools in Cornwall are committed to providing the highest quality of education for their pupils, and indeed to continually improving.'

Schools in Cornwall's top 50 included Harrowbarrow who were 12th with an overall score of 281 achieved by their 16 eligible year six pupils; Bishop Cornish at Saltash 19th 273 (33 pupils); Sir Robert Geffery's, Landrake 21st 270 (27); Lostwithiel 28th 265 (17); Altarnun 29th 264 (11); Delaware 35th 263 (32); Fowey 37th 261 (23); Burraton 40th 259 (61); Menheniot 44th 257 (28); St Martin's, Liskeard 46th 256 (32); and Carbeile, Torpoint 49th 254 (134).

Other results were as follows: Lewannick 58th 253 (17); St Stephen's at Saltash 59th 253 (43); Brunel at Saltash 60th 252 (64); Coads Green 69th 245 (11); Antony 79th 240 (15); Stoke Climsland 81st 239 (18); Fourlanesend, Torpoint 82nd 238 (13); Luxulyan 84th 238 (13); St Nicolas, Downderry 87th 238 (13); Dobwalls 89th 237 (30); Polperro l00th 231 (13); Callington 105th 223 (64); St Cleer 133rd 205 (39); Looe 135th 202 (61); Millbrook 138th 192 (12); Calstock 145th 185 (20); Liskeard 156th 167 (70); Gunnislake 169th 109 (11); Trenode, Widegates 171st 100 (11).

The placings in the table may differ slightly from other published 'positions' as many schools achieved the same ranking mark, eg Torpoint, St Nicolas and Luxulyan both achieved an overall total of 238.