A Government survey has revealed Barnet's local education authority ranks sixth in the country.

The latest league tables show the borough's primary schools achieved good results in tests on the core subjects of English, maths and science.

Courtland Junior Mixed and Infant School in Courtland Lane, Mill Hill, ranked among the top 200 primary schools in England. All of its pupils aged ten and 11 reached the required standard in English and science and 97 per cent in maths.

Staff and pupils at Joseph's Primary School in Watford Way, Hendon, are giving themselves a well deserved pat on the back after hearing the news that they are the third best school in the borough.

Headteacher Marc Boucherat said he was delighted at the news: "I'm very pleased and really proud of the children, teachers and staff. We're very fortunate to have a very dedicated and hard working team which has resulted in this school being such a success."

Meanwhile, Barnet's local education authority LEA was rated the third best in London boroughs behind the City of London and Kensington and Chelsea.

None of the borough's schools featured on the tables listing 200 junior schools with the worst record for truancy this year.

However, staff at Brunswick Park Primary School in Osidge Lane, Southgate, were delighted following their placement among the country's most improved schools since 1998.

Chairman of the governors at the school, Peter White, said: "We're absolutely over the moon. I'm so pleased for the staff and children at the school. It's the commitment and dedication of the staff and children and all their hard work which has made this happen."

Councillor Alison Moore, Barnet Council's cabinet member for schools, welcomed the results.

She said: "We're obviously very proud of the achievement of our pupils. The overall results are good and above average in all core subjects.

"Many schools' results are higher than last year's national tables."

The borough's school education system was given a further boost on Tuesday when the Government announced an £11million increase equivalent to 7.4 per cent in funding for Barnet's LEA next year.

The Government Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris said: "We must remain vigilant to ensure that these extra resources are actually spent on raising standards in schools.

The Education and Skills Secretary added: "We are sustaining the pressure on local authorities to minimise the amount they spend on central administration and building on the progress they have already made.

"No London authority should be spending more than £70 per pupil on this."

December 5, 2001 18:52

SARAH MILLS