WHILE the overall average pass rate for primary schools in Swindon is slightly down, today's figures mask some marked improvements.

King William Street C of E Primary has continued its year on year rise since failing its Ofsted inspection, going from 20th to 2nd place.

Another school which has made a dramatic improve-ment is Pinehurst Junior, which in four years has more than doubled its pass rate.

St Mary's C of E in Purton has also continued to improve and has now nearly doubled the pass rate it achieved in 1998.

Meanwhile, a third church school, Lydiard Millicent C of E Primary, has secured top spot in our table, although it does fall into Wiltshire County Council's boundaries.

The success of the faith schools in the area this year is notable, with five in the top 10 as opposed to only one last year.

That comes at a time of fervent national debate over the Government's intention to increase the number of religious schools a policy many have criticised as potentially divisive and damaging to race relations.

Other schools that have improved significantly on last year's results in both English and mathematics include Ruskin Junior and Drove, Toothill and Peatmoor.

Pinehurst Junior has shown remarkable improve-ment rising from a pass rate of just 99 per cent in 1998 to 224 per cent this year.

Headteacher Steve Hobbs said: "We've done con-sistently well and it is due to the hard work of the staff and children, targeting their needs and creating a good general ethos.

"We're never going to get 100 per cent pass rates here but we have been improving in all the core areas.

"People often think success only happens in the more advantaged parts of town, but this is proof it can happen in Pinehurst as well."

King William Street Primary, with just 146 pupils, was told it was failing by Ofsted inspectors and only emerged from special measures two years ago.

But this year the Old Town school recorded the second best results in the Swindon area and the best of all those supported by Swindon Borough Council.

It scored an overall pass rate of 283 per cent, up from 213 per cent in 1999.

It did particularly well in science, with every pupil passing at level four or above, and in English, with its 96 per cent pass rate making it the best in the region.

Headteacher Alan Voyce said he knew the results were good, but was surprised at the school's ranking.

"I'm just pleased with the progress the school has made in recent years," he said. "There have been some great strides made and a lot of hard work has been put in by the staff and children, so it's nice to see some acknowledgement of that.

" I think it will be difficult to match this year's success next year, but with a small school like ours the pass rates can go up and down a lot.

"One child can represent four or five per cent of the total, which can make quite a difference."

St Mary's C of E Primary in Purton has consistently improved since scoring a poor pass rate of just 132 per cent in 1998. This year achieved a 258 per cent pass rate with its 287 pupils.

Headteacher Barry Knock was brought in four years ago and with a new team of staff, has seen the school's fortunes turn round.

He said: "There has been a real concerted effort to improve standards year on year and we have changed a lot of methods and policies that have reaped rewards.

"But we can't keep going up and up every year. We also want to keep the balance of pushing the pupils to work hard but also be happy and enjoy school.

"One thing that might have made a difference is that we have three male teachers and our boys' results are better than most, so I think they provide good role models."

Lydiard Millicent Primary is included in the Swindon tables for the first time this year as opposed to Wiltshire and goes straight in at number one spot.

Headteacher Kathy God-frey said its consistent high scores were a reflection of the hard work of the staff and pupils.

"We have positive attitudes, committed staff and very supportive parents, which makes for a happy and successful school," she said.

"But these results aren't everything we look at the whole child at Lydiard and concentrate on every aspect of their development."