Black Country primary school named among UK's best

A primary school is celebrating being placed in the top 20 per cent nationally for pupils' achievements.

Corngreaves Primary Academy, in Plant Street, Cradley Heath, has been recognised for its exceptional 2015 performance by the Schools, Students and Teachers network (SSAT).

It follows the school's SATs results seeing 97 per cent of key stage two pupils achieving at least a level four in reading, writing and maths.

Sue Williamson, chief executive of SSAT, said: "It's my great pleasure to commend Corngreaves Primary on their excellent 2015 performance, and to have the opportunity to highlight and share their great work at the SSAT Educational Outcomes celebration event.

"I have the privilege of visiting a lot of schools and I am always impressed by the creativity of teachers in engaging and inspiring their students.

"I hope that SSAT's Educational Outcomes award will highlight the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the leaders, teachers and students at Corngreaves Primary. Recognising and sharing successes like this is at the heart of SSAT's mission, so I'm delighted to congratulate Corngreaves Primary on their achievement."

SSAT was founded from the former Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in May 2012.

They work with teachers to celebrate achievements.

Head of school at Corngreaves, Sarah Green, said she was exceptionally proud of the students work and staff dedication.

She said: "We are extremely proud of this award which reflects the hard work and dedication of all children and the teaching staff.

"It shows that Corngreaves children are capable of achieving wonderful things.

"We have posted the news on our website and school Facebook and Twitter page and are exceptionally proud of everyone."

They received outstanding status in their last Ofsted report as a state primary - being praised for their 'excellent progress' and 'inspirational teaching' alongside the 'academic guidance that is perfectly matched to the individual pupils' needs' in 2009.

Council bosses praised the school in moving forward after being placed in special measures in 2005.

Corngreaves Primary and Timbertree Primary, in Cradley Heath, joined forces to become a federation in 2010.

The plans to turn the two schools into academies were held up at the time due to a wrangle over who should pay for damage caused by flooding.

They aim was to transform into academies to gain extra independence and unlock funding opportunities.

But the moves were stalled due to Sandwell Council and Severn Trent locking horns over who should take responsibility for damage caused by sewer flooding, which regularly took place in the summer.

Since becoming an academy the school state that their curriculum is about 'providing children with excitement for and inspiration to learn'.