School named among the worst

Only seven per cent of 11-year-olds at St Mary's C of E Primary achieved level four standard in both subjects in this year's SATs exams, according to figures.

The only other school with worse results was Hereford's Steiner Academy, which did not record results in either subject after parents refused to let their children take SATs tests.

Today's league tables show how every 11-year-old in England performed in their English, maths and science SATs tests in 2009.

At 885 primaries in England, more than half of 11-year-olds failed to reach level four. Performances across the West Midlands also generally dipped compared to last year.

Bosses at St Mary's, in Stoney Lane, today admitted the results were disappointing but pledged staff were already working hard to turn things around.

Headteacher Hilary Pritchard, who only took over in September, said it had been a "tumultuous" couple of years for the school after it became a primary from a first as part of education changes in the region.

But she added the first steps towards improving had already been taken.

"I started at the school in September and we have had two more members of staff come on board which will provide more stability," she said. "A new deputy headteacher has also been appointed who will begin work here in January.

"Building work has been completed on an extension of the school to provide new and better facilities.

"We have also introduced a new curriculum. All of these factors will allow more continuity at the school.

"It has been a tumultuous couple of years which has impacted on progress."

Mrs Pritchard said there were also issues with attendance which they would be working on.