Collaborative working and a rigorous commitment to raising standards has led to Peterborough City Council becoming the most improved Local Authority in the eastern region for Key Stage 2 (KS2) attainment.
The December validated data for KS2 attainment shows that Peterborough is the most improved authority in the region for 2024/25, based on the percentage of children achieving the age expected standard in all reading, writing and maths combined.
KS2 attainment in England measures how well pupils aged 10-11 perform in national tests, with the expected standard being a scaled score of 100 or more.
The latest figures represent a stark rise for Peterborough over the past decade and are the culmination of focussed efforts from teachers, school leaders, the wider community along with support from the council’s Education team.
Back in 2016, the city was ranked at the bottom of the KS2 attainment league table. A decade ago, only 43 per cent of pupils in Peterborough met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths.
However, the latest results for 2024/25 show that 61 per cent of pupils now meet the expected standard. This represents a six per cent rise since 2023/24 (the largest rise in the Eastern region) and a 32 place rise in the national KS2 attainment league table since 2022/23.
Councillor Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council, said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the progress our primary schools have made and will continue to work closely with all schools, whether maintained or academies, to continue this excellent work.
“This is a real team effort and I want to thank our staff, teachers, pupils, and the entire community for their tireless work. We never rest on our laurels and will strive for even greater outcomes in future."
Nick Brompton, Head of All Saints Church of England Primary School and Chair of the Peterborough Primary Heads, added: “There has been much positive change in education across Peterborough in recent years.
"Schools are collaborating much more, sharing best practice and there is a united front all pulling in the same direction. This is a particularly unique achievement, considering the complete range of schools we have in the city, but as a collective - we see the bigger picture and work effectively together.
“We’ve got some excellent schools and there is a genuine willingness to help others, for example Head Teachers will speak to each other regularly, but so will English Leaders and Maths Leaders.
"Whereas in the past the temptation may have been to focus on the reasons why we were not doing so well, now we develop solutions and learn from and support each other. Our attitude is that if we have an issue or a problem, we can find the answer together.
"I personally have always felt that when addressing the challenges that we face, 95% of the answers are within our own city’s schools. This positive approach is testament to everyone involved in education locally, including the council themselves in facilitating, supporting and encouraging school clusters and increased collaboration which has made a positive difference."
Mark Woods, CEO of Meridian Trust and Chair of the Peterborough CEO’s Group said: “Peterborough’s journey in recent years has been remarkable. Moving from the bottom of the league table to becoming the most improved authority in the region reflects big, systemic change and a lot of hard work from colleagues across the city.
“Schools, multi-academy trusts, the local authority and wider partners have come together with a shared determination to raise standards for every child. The progress seen at Key Stage 2 is reflective of a culture of collaboration, high expectations and professional generosity. While it is right to celebrate this achievement, it also strengthens our ambition as a group to go further and ensure every child, in every school in Peterborough, has the opportunity to achieve.”
Several factors have contributed to this improvement including school leaders driving a relentless focus on achievement and high standards, developing a culture of sharing good practice and collaboration across the education community and engaging parents and carers in their children’s education, fostering a collaborative approach to learning.
The education team at Peterborough City Council works in close partnership with all schools on factors which impact on the outcomes pupils achieve including school leadership, attendance and inclusion and look forward to building further on these successes.
Meanwhile, the council has also been named as the most improved Local Authority in the region for the proportion of pupils achieving a 'Good Level of Development' at the end of their first year in Reception. This is based on teacher assessment and the learning that takes place over the Reception year as well as learning that has taken place in pre schools or nurseries for those who attend.
For more information please contact communications@peterborough.gov.uk.
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