The Valley Primary School named as one of the country's best!

The Valley Primary School in Astley Bridge was named as one of the highest performing schools in the country in The Sunday Times 'Parent Power' Schools Guide out on Sunday for the second year running.

The guide lists the top 250 schools in the country and The Valley School was the only Bolton primary school named in it.

The school's key stage two result places the school in the top two per cent of schools in the country.

It is one of the largest primary schools in Bolton with 547 children on roll and in recent years has opened a two year old provision “Little Learners”

Headteacher Kevan Naughton said:“This recognition is humbling but also rewards our staff’s efforts and the brilliant achievements of all our pupils. Parents of the school will be especially proud of what we have achieved, they work consistently hard to support their children and have high aspirations, really valuing everything that we do in school.

“As a fully inclusive school and a having the highest levels of the Inclusion Quality Mark Flagship status we are exceptionally proud that we can support all pupils with special needs and achieve exceptionally high results, we believe these are not mutually exclusive.

“We are not a school that likes to 'blow our own trumpet' but in dark times, such as these, good news goes a long way.”

He added: “Bolton has a plethora of high performing primary schools that have worked incredibly hard, especially during the last nine months. Whilst we gratefully accept recognition, we feel that all schools deserve recognition for what all the Bolton family of schools have achieved.

“We work in an education system that is abundant with high levels of extremely dedicated hard working teachers and staff. In our school every single person matters equally, from the site and office staff, cleaners and cooks to the wonderful frontline staff who deliver day in and day out.

“As a National Support School we also support other schools often in difficult circumstances in times of crisis and this work is exceptionally rewarding.”

Head boy Yusuf Patel, aged 11, said: “The Valley Community School is fantastic because we all work together as a team. We truly believe that together we are better, and not only do we have a high level of learning but amazing teachers too. This school is definitely a really good school and I recommend it to anyone.”

Aliya Shaik, aged seven, a member of the School Council, said:“The teachers are really kind, they help us if we need help. My friends are nice and listen to me. I love school because I like the lessons and the maths.”

Newly elected parent governor Mrs Aqila Haffeji said, “All of my children have attended, or attended, The Valley School and I’m thrilled that it’s been recognised in this way. It’s hard to summarise what makes the school so special but it serves the families of this close community so well.

“My children have been really happy in school, and have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. They have also made excellent progress that has set them up brilliantly for high school.

Sue Leece, one of the school’s cleaners for more than 15 years, said:“It’s really clear that this school strives for really high expectations, not just with the children’s learning but in everything it does. My standards of cleanliness mirror my own at home. If I’m going to do a job I do it properly and thoroughly.”