A BRADFORD primary school has been praised by a government minister for being one of the best in the country for maths.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb recognised St Cuthbert & The First Martyrs’ Catholic Primary, Heaton, for excelling in mathematics at Key Stage 2 – putting the school into the top 1 per cent nationally for a achievement in maths.

In his letter to Daniel Copley, Executive Headteacher at St Cuthbert’s, Mr Gibb says: “I would like to congratulate you, your staff and your pupils on your school’s very high standard of achievement in mathematics in the 2017 key stage 2 assessments.”

The letter has been sent because 100 per cent of St Cuthbert’s pupils reached or exceeded the expected standard in mathematics at the end of key stage 2.

Mr Gibb added: “We want to ensure that every child has the necessary fluency in mathematics to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, and your school has provided this to all your pupils.”

He goes on to thank Mr Copley for his hard work and professionalism in producing such high standards and adds “congratulations again to you and your staff for all you have achieved.”

Mr Copley said: "We were delighted to receive the letter from Nick Gibb. Even though the letter was addressed to me, everyone involved in the school should feel proud of this time’s Key Stage 2 outcomes. Our results have now improved year on year for the past three years. This makes St Cuthbert’s progress and attainment results very high compared with national, regional and Bradford district figures.

“The school performs as well as it does because as leaders, staff and governors we are all extremely ambitious for the children in our school community. As a team, we work hard to engage parents, motivate our children and ensure they get the very best education every day.”