THE results of a Menston School's maths Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) have been declared null and void because the pupils who took them were helped.

They were given a zero mark for the subject by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority who oversee the examinations following an investigation.

It meant that Menston Primary School dropped to 132nd place in the Bradford Local Education Authority table which is based on results in the Key Stage Two examinations taken by year six pupils last May.

The school would have expected a high placing after 81 per cent of the pupil's sitting the exam achieved level four and above in English and 88 per cent in Science.

The decision related to the results of 48 pupils who have now moved on to secondary schools.

In a brief statement from the school, head teacher Simon Camby said: "Due to the fact that there had been procedural irregularities with the administration of the tests, the school's Key Stage Two Maths SATs were annulled by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in the summer term.

"This was an isolated incident. The head teacher and governors have taken steps to ensure that the school's usual high standards continue to be maintained in the future.

"Pupils were awarded grades for the English and Science tests alongside the usual teacher assessments."

The head teacher's statement does not make clear exactly what the 'procedural irregularities' were, but a statement from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority says that the pupils had too much help completing the tests.

A spokesman said: "An investigation was carried out that concluded the results did not reflect the independent and unaided work of the pupils. The results were therefore annulled."

The decision to disregard the tests results was made by an independent adjudicator.

Ironically the school's Chair of Governors is Councillor Dale Smith (Con, Wharfedale), who is Bradford's head of education. He said: "The integrity of our school and its processes are of utmost importance and although SATs are an important aspect of assessment they are only a snapshot in time.

"The school has a well deserved reputation for its assessment procedures and all children received an accurate teacher assessment."

A spokesman for Bradford Council's education department refused to add anything to the headmaster's statement.

And a spokesman for Education Bradford, the private company running the district's education system, also refused to comment about the circumstances leading to the disqualification of the maths tests.

It was a similar story with the Government's Department for Education and Skills. A spokesman there said: "We cannot comment on individual cases.