Egloskerry and Altarnun Primary Schools Celebrate Above-Average SATs Results

Egloskerry and Altarnun Primary Pupils Outperform Peers Across England

Two primary schools in Cornwall are celebrating standout SATs results this week, with both outperforming the national average across reading, writing and maths.

Egloskerry and Altarnun Primary Schools, which are part of the Athena Learning Trust, saw a combined score of 64% and 82% respectively of Year 6 pupils meeting the expected standard across all subjects. This puts them ahead of this year’s national average of 62%.

Reading Levels Soar Thanks to Athena’s Approach

Both schools also recorded a significant number of pupils working at greater depth in reading. A total of 36% of pupils at each school exceeded the expected standard, a result attributed to the Athena Learning Trust Primary Cluster Reading Spine.

The reading spine features age-appropriate books that build in complexity, with authors including Malorie Blackman, Roald Dahl and Michael Morpurgo. The programme supports shared reading, critical thinking and develops a genuine love of books in children from their earliest years.

Maths Mastery Shows Strong Results

Maths results were also above average, with 74% of Altarnun pupils and an impressive 91% of Egloskerry pupils reaching the expected level. Athena’s direct instruction method teaches children in small, ability-matched groups to ensure no one is left behind.

Pupils receive targeted support to close any knowledge gaps quickly, and the schools credit this hands-on approach for improved confidence and engagement in maths.

Hard Work Behind the Numbers

The results reflect months of effort by pupils and staff, with a strong focus on high-quality teaching, support, and a culture of academic ambition.

SATs are taken by children in Year 6 and assess English grammar, punctuation, spelling, reading, and maths. The tests are used by the government’s Standards and Testing Agency to track academic progress, support needs, and school performance nationally.

Athena Learning Trust runs several schools across the South West, including Pool Academy, Launceston College, Launceston Primary, Bideford College, The Ilfracombe Academy, Atlantic Academy and Camborne Science and International Academy.

Lynsey Slater, Primary Director at Athena Learning Trust and Executive Principal of both Egloskerry and Altarnun, said:

“We’re incredibly proud of our pupils for their fantastic achievements. These results are a testament to their determination and the unwavering support of our staff and families. It’s wonderful to see their hard work pay off.”