Marlow schools in top ten

2:30pm Friday 5th September 2008

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TWO Marlow primary schools are among the top ten in the county for 11-plus results.

Forty-six per cent of pupils at both Spinfield School, in Terrington Hill, and Danesfield School, in Henley Road, passed the tests.

Danesfield headteacher Derry Lewis said: “It’s always great to have these kind of results. I’m just happy if all the right children go to the right schools – that’s what we try to do.

“If children are suitable for a grammar school kind of education I’m glad they go there. But not all the children are suitable for grammar school education.”

The tables show results for the 131 maintained, combined and junior schools in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Lewis, who has been headteacher for 14 years, said: “Year after year, one of the most consistent messages we are getting from parents is that they value the quality of the teaching that goes on in school. That’s incredibly rewarding when you hear it. We have a good blend of new and experienced teachers.”

Susan Hartley, headteacher at Spinfield, said: “We try not to put pressure on the children but we realise that they do very well year on year in the SATs and 11-plus. We don’t coach them. We keep it very low key and follow the LEA to the letter. We give the children lots of different experiences and that contributes to their success. The children get a lot of support from the school staff.”

The two schools were rated second and third out of schools in the Wycombe District.

Chairman of governors at Danesfield, Erica Ferguson said: “I think it’s a very fair reflection of the hard work and strong leadership and management at the school. I’m obviously very pleased with the results. We are so lucky to have a good headmaster.”

Mother and school secretary Helen Riddoch’s son Daniel, 11, was one of the 25 who were eligible to go to grammar school.

She said: “I think it’s just really nice that all of the children achieved their own potential. They’ve come on leaps and bounds.” Daniel started at John Hampden Grammar, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe this week.

8Don’t miss next week’s Bucks Free Press for full details of the 11-plus results.