Over achievers and proud of it: Hammond pupils top of the class asthey prepare for next step

Key Stage Two pupils at the Hammond School can look forward to going off on their summer holidays with an extra spring in their step after recording their best ever assessment scores in reading, writing and maths.

The results were sufficiently high for the school in Lightwater to be ranking alongside many secondary schools in terms of academic standards, and put them way above the national average. Of the children tested, all achieved Level Four (the expected national level) or above in reading, with 76% achieving Level Five and three per cent reaching Level Six. In writing, 99% reached Level Four or above, with 47% attaining well above this and in maths, 97% reached Level Four, 57% gaining Level  5 and with a remarkable 19% passing Level Six standard.

“This is absolutely thrilling for the children, their families, and the staff who teach them here at the school,” said Hammond Executive Headteacher Sarah Evans. “We’ve put particular emphasis on reading and writing this year, and the results are there for all to see. We were aiming to have all the children improve by two levels, but a significant number have managed to rise by three, which is wonderful for them and everyone who’s helped them."

High levels of achievement in maths may be the most eye-catching feature, but given that the school recently won the Maths Competition Trophy at the Gordons School for the third year in a row, maybe it is only to be expected. “Hammond has always been a high achieving school, and somewhere where we have high levels of expectation of all our pupils,” said Mrs Evans, “so we would hope that our pupils would do this well, but that does not mean we take it for granted. It’s a real testament to the hard work of so many people throughout the school, so we can all share the pride in their achievements."

As Year Six prepare to leave the school for academic pastures new, Mrs Evans said they deserved all the praise they were receiving. “Exam results are important, of course, but we are proud to see the talented, responsible and articulate young people they have become during their time at Hammond,” she said. “As they leave us to take the next step of their journey in education and personal development, they should be very proud of who they are and what they have done. We work hard in developing the whole child at Hammond, through their academic and personal skills and it is particularly pleasing to see this come to fruition as they move on to their next school.”