AN EAST Lancashire school has been named one of the best in England by the Sunday Times.

St Veronica’s RC Primary School in Helmshore was placed 13th in the paper’s list of the top 500 state primary schools - the best performance by any Lancashire school.

The rankings are based on Key Stage Two SATs results between 2009 and 2011.

The school, in Raven Avenue, didn’t feature in the list last year but was in 410th position in 2010.

It has 154 pupils aged between four and 11, who have attained a 100 per cent pass rate at Key Stage Two level in the past three years.

Headteacher Pam Macro, who has worked at the school for eight years, said the recognition gave her immense pride.

She said: “It’s brilliant for us. We are a high-achieving school and this is just another fantastic achievement.

“The SATs test English reading and writing and maths and our teaching staff are superb.

“All we ask of the children is that that do their best and recognition like this is a bonus.

“Results will change from year to year but we are always high-achieving.”

Ten other East Lancashire schools featured in the top 500, with Laneshawbridge Primary School (39th) and Balshaw Lane Community Primary School (100th) also making the top 100.

Helen Gregson, headteacher at Balshaw Lane in Euxton, near Chorley, said she was delighted for her staff.

She said: “Coming in the top 100 reflects the constant drive for high standards that we have here.

“The kids love coming to school because of the curriculum and that is testament to the quality of the teaching and support staff we have.

“We were rated as outstanding by Ofsted last year and this is another great success story.”

The list, published last week, was topped by South Farnham School in Surrey for the sixth year running.