LOCAL pupils have proved among the best in the capital after Hillingdon was named the fifth best borough for primary school education in London.

Warrender School in Old Hatch Manor, Ruislip, led the results after being honoured as the fourth best school in London, with all of its pupils gaining an overall 100 per cent rating of 300 points, this was an increase on last year's 281.

The league tables, released on Thursday last week, compare the results of 11-year-olds, who took National Curriculum key stage 2 Sats in English, maths and science. Out of an overall figure of 300, the borough was ranked with an impressive 247.6, an increase on last year's 240.1.

Warrender School headteacher Frank Long said: "We are obviously delighted and our success is thanks to an able year of children, but I am not a big fan of league tables as they don't take into account the strengths and weaknesses of different children, and only show the tiniest part of the picture. We have done well every year and know what our children are capable of.

"The school is successful and I am proud of it and a league table is not needed to tell me that."

Also listed in the top 20 was St Mary's RC in Rockingham Close, Uxbridge, again with 100 per cent, and an increase from last year's 233 to 300.

Headteacher of St Mary's, Sarah Doherty, who is due to retire this Christmas, saw the school's success as the perfect send off. She said "I am delighted with the success of the school and the satisfaction this has brought to many parents.

"Over the past few years, St Mary's has seen an upward trend and last year the school saw a second successful Ofsted report and was awarded the government's Charter Mark award for the second time."

Bottom of the pile was Longmead School in Laurel Lane, West Drayton with 64 per cent of its students reaching the government's required level in English, only 36 percent in maths and 71 percent in science. With an overall figure of just 171 out of 300, this was a slide from 195 in 2000.

By.Nina Palmer