A primary school in Bolton has made it in to the top one per cent of schools in the country for its results in developing key skills in reading and writing.

The headteacher Sam Mitchell says she is delighted that 100 per cent of Year One pupils at Egerton Community Primary School children achieved the expected standard in the statutory phonics check.

The school received a letter from Damian Hinds, the Minister for Schools congratulating staff and pupils on their outstanding results.

Miss Mitchell said: “We were delighted to receive our letter of recognition from the Minister for Schools.

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“To be in the top one per cent of schools in the country is an amazing achievement, and it is testament to the hard work that our Early Years and Year One teams, along with our English leads put into the teaching of early reading here at Egerton. 

“We also are very grateful to our parents, grandparents, and carers who support their children as they learn to read. 

“Despite this success, we continue to always further improve our pedagogy in reading across school using research informed processes. 

“I am so proud of all our children and teaching staff here at Egerton and the passion that they have for reading.”

In the letter, Mr Hinds states: "We want to ensure every child develops a firm grasp of phonics as the basis on which to improve standards of reading.

“As such I was delighted to see your results.

"With 100 per cent of pupils in Year One at Egerton Community Primary School meeting the expected standard in the check, your school is in the top one per cent of all primary schools in the country."

He goes on to say: "Your particular success in teaching phonics and early reading so effectively means your pupils are developing a firm foundation from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.

"I would like to thank you for your commitment and success in this vital area of a child's early education and congratulate you, your staff and pupils on all you have achieved."

According to the latest figures, 83 per cent of pupils who met the standard in the phonics check went to achieve at least the standards expected of pupils at they leave primary school to go on to the next step of their education.

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