North Somerset headteachers say performance tables ‘need to be given more context’ after the Department for Education (DfE) compared schools’ SATs results.

The DfE has analysed the progress and attainment made by every public primary school across the country and compared them to a set national average.

Most North Somerset schools saw success with 15 out of the 24 scoring above the national average for attainment.

Schools were expected to secure an average of 0.0 across reading, writing and maths – which shows the progress made between the end of key stage one and the end of key stage two.

The DfE also analysed the percentage of pupils attaining the ‘expected standard’ of 100, setting a national average of 61 per cent.

But headteachers have warned parents to look beyond the numbers.

Pupils at Yeo Moor Primary School had all made progress in their SATs exams but only 51 per cent of them scored 100 or above.

Headteacher Roland Lovatt said: “It is very important schools are held to account as they spend the public money and there must be ways the public can check we are doing everything we can for our children.

“The tables can be misleading and is only a signpost; there is more behind the data.

“Combined with an Ofsted report and a school visit you get a feel of what is going on but league tables need to be given the context.

“Making a choice and visiting a school, talking to the senior leaders, watching the children in action and getting a feel for the atmosphere of a school is key.

“The students are very proud of what they have achieved and so are we.”

Tickenham Primary School topped the table this year, with 92 per cent of its pupils meeting the expected standard.

Headteacher Tristan Merriam said the school was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the results, calling it a ‘testament’ to the staff and pupils’ hard work.

He added: “Our results, in terms of percentages, fluctuate each year, despite staff practice only getting stronger.

“This is most certainly a problem small schools face when it comes to results and league tables because percentages mean so little.

“We had 13 year six students last year and so each child was worth eight per cent, whereas in bigger schools statistics are much more relevant.”