HALF a dozen local schools have opted out of the primary league.

Schools in Atherton, Westleigh and Lowton refused to provide full information needed to record their position in national listings.

And local education chiefs suggested the tables were far from a 'super league'.

Education chairman Cllr Stuart Shaw said:"These league tables are very misleading and potentially damaging.

"They go against all we are trying to do to get schools working together in the borough.

"They assume all areas of the borough have the same social and economic character which is clearly not the case, and give very poor information about the high quality of work in our primary schools.

"Such raw data can be a very poor guide to the way in which children may have improved over the time they have been at the school."

Director of Education Bob Clark said:"These tests of 11 year-olds have yet to be shown to be reliable. They are still at an early stage of development.

"The results of a very few children in one class in a primary school can have a very marked effect on the school's apparent league table position.

"It would be very unwise for parents to draw any firm conclusion from the tables."

The Journal contacted the six schools involved to learn why they had declined to supply some information.

Atherton St George's head Stephen Twist replied::"It was a governors' decision."

Leigh X11 Apostles did not wish to comment.

The acting head at Lowton St Catherine's declined to give her name, would not comment and put the phone down in mid-conversation.

Westleigh Methodists chairman of governors the Rev Stephen Levett said:"It was a governors' decision. We discussed it at a full governors' meeting at some length.

"We do agree with trying to raise standards with appropriate measures and action." But he said they did not agree publishing such details would acheive that.

His viewpoint is the league table figures ignore social conditions which he says certainly affect a child's education.

Mr Levett asked:"What do you define as success? Education is also about preparing for the privileges and responsibilities of adult life."

He said he felt important aspects of education included moral, spiritual and social aspects of learning.

"My personal view is the Government had to do something, but a lot of the things need redefining. Figures can be manipulated - like the Government's unemployment claims - and some schools try to weed-out those who aren't academically bright."

Atherton Parklee head Ann Jones said:"I'm very pleased these results recognise the hard work of pupils and staff.

"I regret they do not acknowledge the efforts of those who did not attain level four but who did work hard."

She said the decision not to send full details for tabulation had been made by the school governors. Full information was made available to parents and parents of prospective pupils.

Mrs Jones said she hoped adequate funding provision would be made for primary education so all pupils could enjoy equal opportunities.

"We will use the information to help us improve the quality of education but we are not confident in league tables."

And Leigh Gilded Hollins head Stan Higginson said:"Wigan has performed well in the stats, the standard attainment test. This reflects the hard work and commitment of children, teachers, parents, governing bodies and indeed all those in education throughout the authority.

"We at Gilded Hollins are proud to be part of Wigan LEA."

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