PRIMARY schools in Thurrock are celebrating after the percentage of 11-year-olds achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths reached record highs.

The number of pupils achieving the expected standard across all three subjects combined has increased to 70 per cent, from 66 per cent in 2018.

This year’s result is also higher than the national figure of 65% for these subjects combined.

Cabinet member for education and health, James Halden, praised the results.

He said: “These amazing results show that we are once again proving to be a national leader in education with our children outperforming both previous results for Thurrock and national statistics for reading, writing and maths.

“I offer my congratulations to our hard-working pupils and teachers who are celebrating this fantastic success.”