PUPILS and staff at Quarry Hill Academy on Bradleigh Avenue in Grays have been celebrating news that the school has come top of the +sats outcomes table in Thurrock.

A statement from the school, run by the Catalyst Trust, said: "Each and every pupil put 100% into their primary careers at Quarry Hill Academy and it has paid off!

"This year, the Outstanding Primary School has maintained its position as number 1 in the Thurrock local authority and anticipate maintaining their national position in the top one per cent of the country.

"In addition to these incredible accomplishments, the school has also broken personal records with Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests (KS2 SATs) achievements.

"Out of 60 Year 6 pupils, 98.6% of the children achieved age-related expectations in mathematics, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar and 96.7% of the children achieved age-related expectations in reading. This resulted in the school achieving a combined score of 58 children passing all of their SATs papers. This combined score of 96.7% compares to a national average of 61%.

"The school's outstanding results continued into the greater depth standards: 43.3% of pupils achieved greater depth in spelling, punctuation and grammar compared to 34.5% in the local authority, 46.6% attained greater depth in reading and mathematics compared to 26.8% and 23.2% in the local authority, respectively, and an amazing 50% achieved greater depth in writing after being externally moderated by the local authority, compared to 18.9% in the Local Authority. National combined greater depth results are yet to be announced."

"The feedback Catalyst Quarry Hill Academy received from external moderators for their Year 6 writing was glowing, with the moderators stating: "It was evident from the professional dialogue between the moderation team, class teachers and deputy head that children attending this school are well supported to be the best writers they can be, with high expectations for all including children with SEND. It has been a pleasure reading the children's work and hearing each child's journey over the time that they have attended Quarry Hill. The enthusiasm, passion, compassion and knowledge of the Teacher Assessment Framework was evident." 

Mrs Samantha Wakeling, proud headteacher of the academy stated: "I'm so very proud of all of our children who have shone this year to be their best and achieve their best. This is due to the high expectations and the embedded culture of the school, which is aim high, fly high."

These achievements are credited to every single pupil in Year 6, all members of staff who have supported them throughout their academic journey and of course their families who have worked with us in supporting their children at home.

The children at Quarry Hill also wanted to share their words of celebration and inspiration:

"Working hard pays off!" - Imogen

"I think I did my best at the time, I had a blast and I achieved my greatest." - Harvey

"I have had ups and downs but in the end I aimed high and I flew high." - Jeffrey

"It is not about luck, it is about hard work." - Harry

"After working hard for the duration of primary school, I am glad to see that I achieved my very best." - Darius

"I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished. I wanted it and now I've got it." - Simon

"Success isn't bought, it's earned." - Maryam

"At first I thought the SATs were going to be really hard but they were actually easy because I worked hard for it." - Gursift

Teachers and pupils alike look forward to celebrating these remarkable successes at their graduation ceremony and disco, which will conclude the children's time at Quarry Hill Academy. They will be missed!