LEAGUE tables for primary schools in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset were released by the Department for Education this morning.

The figures are based on the number of pupils reaching benchmark levels between key stages 1 and 2, as well as the progress made by eligible students.

Three schools in Bournemouth and two in Poole, along with nine in Dorset and the New Forest, fell below the government's new "floor standard" of 65% achieving Level 4 or more in reading, writing and maths.

That puts them at risk of being turned into an academy, or taken over by a different sponsor or trust if they already have academy status. See foot of the story for the schools affected.

Kings Park Primary School was bottom of the table for Bournemouth.

In September the school was taken over by the Ambitions Academies Trust, which also includes Tregonwell Academy, Queens Park Academy and Longspee Academy, 

Brian Hooper, chief executive officer of the trust, said he was delighted by the achievements of Queens Park Academy, where 87 percent of pupils achieved level 4 in reading, writing and maths.

He added: “We only came into Kings Park in September so I can’t really comment on the results from last year. Obviously the previous headteacher has moved.

“We anticipate that the results for Kings Park the next year will be greatly improved.”

A statement from Kinson Primary School, who also failed to meet the standard, said: "School Leaders and Staff at Kinson Primary School continue to work hard to deliver the high educational standards that the children so deserve.

"At Kinson Primary School we celebrate the improvements that have been made in the percentage of children making the expected progress particularly in Reading, an increase of 7.6% and the number of children achieving a Level 5, which has also risen this year. The School’s journey to improve standards continues."

But among the schools celebrating today will be Bournemouth’s Elm Academy, as for the first time all of its pupils reached the national benchmark standard level 4 in every subject – only five years since it was put into special measures - mkaing it top of the league for Bournemouth.

Headteacher Helen Janda said: “The results are testament to the hard work of all our staff and students and their dedication to keep on improving.”

St Katherine's came second in the table.  Head Nikki St John said: “The children and staff are enthused by our values-centred curriculum and wider provision and our big focus on PE, sport and the arts.”

Bournemouth council deputy leader, Councillor Nicola Greene, cabinet member for education & children’s services, said:“Bournemouth results for children in primary schools have improved year on year and in 2014 results are at their highest ever levels at the end of all key stages.

"At the end of Key Stage 2 the proportion of children achieving at least level 4 in reading, writing and maths shows improvement from previous years and is higher than the national average.

“We are especially pleased with the additional support schools have provided for children in Bournemouth eligible for the Pupil Premium as they have achieved the highest results of any similar group in the South West. We continue to make good progress in the Borough working in partnership with schools to ensure all children receive the best possible start in life.”

Borough of Poole also welcomed the results, recording an overall increase of nine per cent in pupils achieving level 4 in reading, writing and maths.

“This is the biggest increase made by any local authority this year,” said Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning at the council.

“We acknowledge that there are more improvements to be made and we are working in partnership with our schools to support them to continue to improve overall standards and outcomes for their pupils.”

Canford Heath came second in the Poole table. They said:"We are delighted at Canford Heath Junior School that we have, once again, done the very best for our children. 

"Our attainment at Level 4 is consistently high and well above national average again and our attainment at Level 5 has risen by 11% from last year too. 

"I am extremely proud of all the children and staff at the school, who, through their ‘children first’ philosophy, continue to provide an excellent and inspiring education for our children."

A spokesperson for Dorset County Council said: "We aim to give all of Dorset's children the very best start in education and are very pleased with the high standards achieved in our foundation stage and key stage one results.

"While our key stage two results are good and in line with national levels, we are not complacent and are working hard to improve these.

"As a local authority we are keen to develop new ways of working with our schools. Recently we have been part of a programme of seminars with Ofsted to look at ways we can improve the outcomes of pupils eligible for free school meals and we have further projects underway to target other areas of improvement."

Schools that achieved below the 65% standard in Level 4

Bournemouth; Christ The King, King’s Park Primary and Kinson Primary 

Poole; Hamworthy Park Junior and Manorside Primary 

Dorset; The Dunbury CE Academy, Ferndown Middle, Gillingham Primary, St Mary's in Sturminster Newton, Shillingstone CE, Somerford Primary, Swanage St Mark's CE, Wareham St Mary CE and Wool CE Primary 

View school league tables form Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset below (click the picture for a full screen version)

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