Rochdale Borough schools most improved in the country

Date published: 07/12/2006

Rochdale Borough's primary schools are the most improved in the country, according to Government league tables out today.

The DfES figures show that Rochdale comes top out of 150 other local authorities for sustained improvement at Key Stage 2 (11-year-olds).

This is a significant success and is the second year in a row that the Borough has come top of the tables for improvement.

Over recent years, Rochdale Council has made substantial additional investment in primary schools and has taken action to ensure that children who come from some of the most deprived areas of the country exceed educational expectations.  By doing this, results have improved dramatically and the borough now reaches the national average in English, mathematics and science.

Executive Director Terry Piggott said, "Rochdale is going through an ambitious period of change and our children are at the heart of that.  We want to create a better future for them - and to ensure they get the best education and training from early years onwards.  Over the last few years we have transformed educational provision in the borough - but there's still a lot to do and we're not complacent. We are committed to making the changes necessary to improve life for young people and these results show we have a strong track record in doing this."

Portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Irene Davidson said: "I am delighted with these results as they reflect the hard work and effort put in by Council and school staff, parents and the pupils themselves.  We've still got work to do, but we are making good progress."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen welcomed the news, Mr Rowen, a former teacher said:, "The Local Education Authority should take great delight in this excellent news and it shows the great partnership between the schools and the Local Education Authority is bearing fruit.  There are many people across the Borough who worked solidly to improve results and this is an example.  The Executive Director, Terry Piggott, and his staff, have done an excellent job with the teachers and this news should give great encouragement to every parent in the Borough.  Education in Rochdale is going from strength to strength and this is an exciting time – the strong Building Schools for the Future Bid, which if successful will build on this success in secondary provision – offering the very best education we can offer.  The next challenge will then be a new Six Form College so that we can offer educational excellence across all levels."