TWO OXFORDSHIRE primary schools are celebrating after receiving letters of congratulations from schools minister David Laws.

Clanfield Primary School, in west Oxfordshire, received a letter after a record set of results in last year’s Key Stage 2 tests, which were published last month.

And St James C of E Primary School in East Hanney was congratulated for being one of the top-performing primaries in the country.

At Clanfield, each of the 13 children who sat exams achieved at least a Level 4 in both English and maths, the benchmark level which all pupils are expected to reach.

And 45 per cent of pupils achieved the higher Level 5 in English, 85 per cent in maths, while 38 per cent achieved Level 5 in both subjects.

Headteacher Robin Smith, who took up post in September after the tests were taken, said: “A lot of the work was down to the previous headteacher, Jane Lloyd, and the class teachers and between them they have done an outstanding job.”

The letter from Mr Laws read: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the excellent performance of your pupils in the 2012 national tests.

“The overall percentage of your pupils achieving Level 4+, combined with excellent rates of progress in both English and mathematics place you amongst the top performing primary schools this year.”

The school’s value-added measure for progress was 101.1 for English, and 101.7 for maths.

The range is from 98 to 102, with 102 representing the schools where the most progress from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 has been made.

A similar letter was received by St James C of E Primary School.

All 14 children sitting their Key Stage 2 tests last year achieved Level 4+ in English and maths.

Of those, 36 per cent of pupils achieved Level 5 in maths, 50 per cent in writing, and 28 per cent were Level 5 in both subjects.

The school’s value-added measure for progress was 101.1 for both subjects. Headteacher Jayne Snewin said: “The letter was testament to the hard work of the staff, pupils and their parents and gave us a very positive end to the term.”