A PRIMARY school finished the year on a high note after it was judged to be one of the best in the country.

St Barnabas and St Paul’s Church of England Primary School has been placed 17th in the top 250 primary schools based on the recently released Key Stage Two national curriculum tests which were taken by Year Six pupils in May 2019.

Last month, The Lancashire Telegraph reported how the school posted exceptional SATs results, which placed it number two in Blackburn ­— and it was the only school in the borough where children made well above average progress in all three subjects.

With more parents wanting to send their children to the school, the governing body announced its new build will soon be completed.

Jamila Hounslow, chair of governor, said: “We are an ‘outstanding school’ that continues to achieve outstanding results.

“Although situated in one of the most deprived areas of Blackburn, St Barnabas and St Paul’s C of E Primary School has continued to achieve remarkable results in Key Stage Two SATs.

“In 2017, our pupils’ progress in maths was judged to be 1st out of 20,840 schools. In 2018, we reached 21st in the national list of ‘Top 250 Primary Schools’ based on the aggregated average scaled scores achieved in reading, grammar and maths.

“This year we have built on that success and moved up three places to 17th.

“This is an incredible achievement which ranks us in the top two schools in Lancashire.”

She added: “These results do not happen by chance; they are the result of extremely hard-working teachers and pupils and tremendous support from parents and governors. Academic success is important but we aim to produce well-rounded children who are prepared for the real world. Our pupil numbers have grown over the last few years and a second new building will soon be completed in order to cope with what is now a thriving two-form entry school.”