The 13 best performing primary schools in Greater Manchester revealed

Everyone knows that test scores aren’t everything when it comes to schools, but whether or not kids meet the expected standards is one of the main things they’re measured on.

Using results from the end of Key Stage 2 SATs in 2023, data has been shared which reveals every school in Greater Manchester where at least 90% of pupils are achieving the expected standards.

Based on progress scores in reading, writing and mathematics, the highest possible score is 120 and the lowest is 80. Any student who scores 100 or above has met or exceeded the expected standard.

Our interactive map, which you can view below, shows schools in Greater Manchester where at least nine in 10 pupils met the expected standards or above. Submit your zip code to see the ones near you.

Across all primary schools in England, 61% meet the expected standards in reading, writing and maths combined, rising from 60% in 2023 and 59% at the end of 2022.

Around one in 12 children – or 8% – achieve a higher standard, the same proportion as in 2023 and up from 7% in 2022. But at some schools, results are considerably better.

The latest figures available show that at least nine out of 10 pupils met the expected standards in nearly 300 English schools last year, including 13 in Greater Manchester.

Among them is Nicol Mere School in Wigan, where almost all pupils met the expected standard (97%) and one in four (25%) achieved a higher standard. And Gatley Primary School in Stockport, where 95% achieved the expected target and more than two in five pupils (43%) achieved a higher standard.

Gemma Norman, headteacher at Gatley Primary, said: “We are very proud of all our pupils and their achievements, not just in the core curriculum but across the curriculum.

“Our children’s achievements put them in the best possible position to succeed in the next steps, meaning they are ready to reach their full potential.

“The success of our students is due to the partnerships between home and school; how all our staff work so hard to meet the needs of all our children; the ambition and rigor of our curriculum offering; and most importantly, exceptional learning behaviors and determined attitudes of our children.”

It is important to remember that there are many other factors that can define a good school, such as providing a safe environment, student happiness, quality of teaching and support for families.

Below is the full list of the best primary results in Greater Manchester, based on data from 2023.

National SAT results for 2023-2024 were released this week. However, results for individual schools will not be published until after the start of the new school year in September.

School / % of pupils meeting expected standards / % of pupils achieving a higher standard

• Nicol Mere School, Wigan / 97% / 25%
• Our Lady of the Rosary RC Primary School, Urmston, Trafford / 97% / 19%
• Gilded Hollins Community School, Leigh / 97% / 19%
• Gatley Primary School, Cheadle, Stockport / 95% / 43%
• Well Green Primary School, Altrincham / 94% / 28%
• Torkington Primary School, Stockport / 93% / 13%
• The Olive School, Bolton / 92% / 28%
• Orrell Holgate Academy, Wigan / 91% / 28%
• Orrell Newfold Community Primary School, Wigan / 90% / 26%
• St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School, Salford / 90% / 20%
• St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School, Altrincham / 90% / 20%
• Woodhouse Primary School, Urmston, Trafford / 90% / 17%
• All Souls Church of England Primary School, Heywood / 90% / 16%