SIX schools across the conurbation have failed to meet the government’s floor standard - but Bournemouth results were above the national average.

Somerford Primary, Swanage St Mark’s Primary, Emmanuel Middle in Verwood, Bovington Primary, Talbot Primary and Turlin Moor Community were all among 511 mainstream schools in England that failed to hit the national benchmark.

The findings come after the Department for Education published school results from 11-year-olds who sat this year’s key stage two Sats.

Schools are considered to be under-performing if fewer than 65 per cent of pupils reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, or if they fail to make sufficient progress in the three key areas.

Turlin Moor ranked bottom in Poole, with just 18 per cent of pupils achieving the expected standard across the three key areas.

A new leadership team took over at the school in October and executive head Alex Prout said staff were working to develop the school in all areas.

"We have got a track record of rapidly improving schools," Mrs Prout said.

"We have already seen progress in teaching, practice tests and in each year's performance.

"I have spoken to the parents and they are all very supportive of what we have got to do.

"For us we're doing everything we have got to do. It is just a matter of time and waiting to see the improved results this year."

Mrs Prout, who is also director of early years and primary at Ambitions Academies Trusts, said the positive progress shown at Manorside Academy in the tables - achieving 49 per cent in the combined category up from 42 per cent last year - showed the success the team has in turning schools around.

Continuing from recent years, Baden-Powell and St Peter’s Junior was ranked the top school in Poole, with an increased 75% per cent reaching the government standard.

Poole schools key stage 2 league tables.xlsx Poole

Bournemouth’s top school was Moordown St John’s Primary, which recorded an impressive 85 per cent of pupils hitting the standards for reading, writing and maths.

Headteacher Peter Herbert said: “At Moordown St. John’s we celebrate the achievements of all our pupils whatever their strengths and abilities.

“Pupils, staff, directors and supportive parents work hard to enable all individuals to succeed.

“Primary schools have had to adapt rapidly to a new curriculum and rigorous testing. Moordown St. John’s collaborates closely alongside the other academies in the Bournemouth Septenary Trust, to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum for all.”

Bethany Church Junior was the borough’s bottom school in the tables, with a combined measure of 38 per cent.

Nicola Greene, Bournemouth Borough Council’s cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “2017 has been another successful year for pupils in Bournemouth primary schools.

“The proportion of 11-year-olds reaching the expected standards in reading, writing and mathematics has risen to above the national average (63 per cent compared to 61 per cent), with an increase of 9 per cent since 2016.”

“Positive progress has also been made in improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.”

“The council continues to work closely with all schools, including academies, to help ensure every pupil receives a high-quality education that enables them to achieve positive outcomes.”

Bournemouth key stage 2 league table.xlsx

In Dorset, Hazelbury Primary saw 100 per cent of pupils reach the standard in reading, writing and maths. Swanage St Mark’s Primary recorded the lowest in the joint measure at 23 per cent.

Dorset (Echo area) key stage 2 league tables.xlsx

Nationally the number of pupils meeting the standards in the three key areas rose from 53 per cent to 61 per cent.