CENTRAL Devon MP, Mel Stride, has paid tribute to hard-working teachers and support staff from across his constituency after new figures from the Department for Education show more local pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics.

The breakdown of Key Stage 2 results published in December showed more than 60 per cent of schools within Mr Stride’s constituency had improved from the previous year.

Commenting, Mr Stride said: “There is obviously much more to the success of a school than any single measurement, but it is important that pupils are doing well in key subjects which impact on so many other subjects later in their education.

“Naturally there will be fluctuations each year depending on the class so it’s important to look at the overall trends which are very encouraging.

“The reformed KS2 tests are more demanding than they were previously, setting a higher standard in schools, and local teachers have risen to the challenge. Improving results despite tougher tests is a real achievement.”

Key Stage 2 (ages seven-11) is the third block of the national curriculum after Early Years (ages three-five) and Key Stage 1 (ages five-seven). It concludes with the Key Stage 2 national tests.

Recent government reforms have removed some of the burden on teachers in terms of assessments and given them greater scope to use their professional judgement when assessing pupil performance.

The reforms have also increased the standard of the Key Stage 2 tests, so they are more closely aligned to the best performing education systems in the world.

Mr Stride regularly visits schools in his constituency, spending time at primary schools in Okehampton, Cheriton Fitzpaine and Buckfastleigh already this year as well as welcoming pupils from Stoke Canon Primary School to Westminster.