Primary schools across Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch are celebrating another successful crop of SATs results.

Government education bosses yesterday published final figures for how Year Six pupils performed in the summer exams.

The 11-year-olds take tests in reading, writing and Maths and a combined result is published for each school.

Heybridge Primary School was one of the top performers in this year's results.

Around five per cent of its pupils reached grades well above average in reading, and 25 per cent of the students achieved higher grades than the national average.

Simon Waltham, headteacher of Heybridge Primary School congratulated all of his students after sitting their exams on their results.

Mr Waltham said: "We are thrilled and delighted to share with you that our children have achieved 85 per cent combined in reading, writing and maths in our KS2 Sats results.

"This is a 35 per cent increase on last year’s result.

"The national average this year is 64 per cent which adds to the pride we feel in the children’s accomplishments.

"Whilst this is a testament to the children, parents and staff alike it is just a snap shot of the amazing school we have here.

"I am, as always, very proud to be headteacher of this amazing school."

Woodham Walter Primary School was also among the high performing schools.

In writing the school was one of the best, with 5.4 per cent of students receiving well above average marks.

In reading, the pupils also scored high, with almost four per cent gaining excellent grades.

Sue Dodd, headteacher of the school, said: "At Woodham Walter School our motto is: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”.

"All of our staff and children work together throughout the year so that each one of us is able to accomplish our very best.

"Working closely with parents, other schools in the Blackwater area and church schools has enabled us to achieve great results.

"We are proud that this year 86 per cent of our children in year 6 achieved the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths. "This compares to 66 per cent of children in our local authority area.

"A massive well done to Woodham Walter.

"Not just for the end of year results but for your attitude towards learning all year long."

Wentworth Primary School's headteacher, Dawn Dack was also very proud of both her year two and year six pupils.

The school's students came out above the national average for its results across reading, writing and maths.

Mrs Dack said: "We work closely with the other schools in Maldon and have been informed by the local authority that this set of results has ensured that the primary schools of Maldon are the highest performing group in Essex.

"This must be a very comforting thought for parents and carers of children in Maldon."

Kelly Stock, headteacher of Burnham Primary School, said: "As a school we are incredibly proud of our results.

"In the last three years pupils’ achievement has moved from being average to excellent and this year we achieved the best results the school has ever had.

"We are extremely proud of our children and staff as they have worked tirelessly to achieve their very best. In the past Burnham Primary was a school where good was seen to be good enough.

"By aspiring higher, children and staff now expect more and as a result achieve higher. It is a small school with a big heart and even bigger ambitions to be the best it can be."

This year, nationally 64 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in all of reading, writing and Maths.