BURITON Primary School’s Year 6 pupils were top of the class last year in reading out of 496 similar schools in Hampshire.

They also came second out of all the schools in maths and English, much to the delight of headteacher Danielle Brown, and school staff.

Mrs Brown said: “Each year the Department for Education releases performance tables detailing Year 6 Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) results.

“I am delighted to say that our pupils’ performance was outstanding, with 100 per cent meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

“Our reading score was the highest in Hampshire, and the performance tables show that we are the second highest performing school in the county for the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standards.

“These fantastic results reflect the hard work and dedication of the children, and all of the amazing staff in the school.”

Year 6 teacher Becky Green added: “We are really proud of the children, in past years the school has done consistently well in the SATs tests, but this is the best result for a while.

“But the school isn’t just about academic endeavour, our activities are for the whole child.”

And as part of encouraging activites other than traditional lessons, pupils at the school are undertaking a skipping challenge.

Mrs Brown said: “During January the whole school will be completing a skipping task, which will involve all the pupils skipping two minutes each day for a month.

“Skipping is a fantastic activity for young people; it develops heart and lung fitness, co-ordination, balance and concentration.

“One of the most positive aspects of this challenge is the massive improvements the children can make in a short space of time, and shows them keeping fit can be fun.”

And not only will the children benefit from the challenge; money raised by the challenge through sponsorship will go towards funding British athletes.