More than half of Borehamwood school children taking National Curriculum tests for 11-year-olds last summer achieved what the Government expects.

The key stage two tests were taken in English, maths and science by pupils from Furzehill, Holmshill and Lyndhurst Middle Schools in Borehamwood, as well as St Teresa's Roman Catholic JMI School.

The results, published by Hertfordshire's education department show what percentage of those eligible scored the expected grade, level four, or even higher.

Nationally, results show on average 60 per cent hit the mark in English and maths, and 70 per cent in science.

In the past, head teachers have criticised performance tables for failing to show a "value added" factor, that is progress made by children over the course of their education.

Published results also show the percentage recorded where the schools conducted their own internal tests and an average points score.

In Borehamwood, Holmshill and St Teresa's pupils did best in English and science, where up to 60 per cent met the target.

Also at St Teresa's, 69 per cent hit the mark in maths.

At Furzehill the best results were in English, where 54 per cent scored what the Government asks, and at Lyndhurst the best results were in science, where the figure was 55 per cent.

Pupils at St Nicholas School in Elstree, as well as Fair Field Junior School in Radlett also sat the tests.

At St Nicholas, 65 per cent achieved level four or above in English, 74 per cent in maths and 83 per cent in science.

At Fair Field, 81 per cent hit the mark in English, 80 per cent in maths and 89 per cent in science.

Commenting on the result, Hertfordshire's education committee chairman Bob Mays said: "We must remember that these results tell only part of the story about how good a school really is.

"Parents will only appreciate many other aspects of a school's appeal by visiting it themselves and talking to staff and children."

The in full of pupils achieving level four in the tested subjects are as follows:

lFair Field: English 81 per cent, maths 80 and science 89.

lFurzehill: English 54 per cent, maths 46 and science 46.

l Holmshill: English 58 per cent, maths 40 and science 60.

l Lyndhurst: English 44 per cent, maths 51 and science 55.

l St Nicholas: English 65 per cent, maths 74 and science 83.

l St Teresa's: English 59 per cent, maths 69 per cent, science 59 per cent.

At Shenley JMI school only six pupils were eligible for key stage two assessment, so no statistics were produced.

Commenting on the result, Hertfordshire's education committee chairman Bob Mays said: "We must remember that these results tell only part of the story about how good a school really is.

"Parents will only appreciate many other aspects of a school's appeal by visiting it themselves and talking to staff and children."

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