The headteacher of the best performing primary school in west Wiltshire in this year’s league tables has hit out at the testing system.

Sally Humphries is delighted St John’s in Warminster has come fifth in the whole county and top in west Wiltshire, but is heavily critical of the league tables.

Three years ago her school was near the bottom of the pile but last summer all 12 of its Year 6 pupils who sat their SATs attained the required level four or above in English, maths and science.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results. It represents three years of hard work from the time we were at the bottom of the league.

“The whole school community has worked really hard. We have inspirational teachers who work 24/7 and we have really motivated children who have overwhelming support from their parents.

“However I would like to say that I am totally opposed to the whole league table culture, which is a name and shame system for schools. SATs only measure some of a school’s success.”

St John’s success was closely followed by Westwood-with-Iford Primary, near Bradford on Avon, which came 10th, with all 16 pupils getting level 4 or above in English and science and 94 per cent of them getting level 4 or above in maths.

Acting headteacher Sally Hannam said: “We are very proud of our children. We feel that the hard work of both pupils and staff has been rewarded.”

Sutton Veny Church of England School, near Warminster followed in 15th place with all 18 pupils achieving level 4 or above in English and science and 89 per cent achieving level 4 or above in maths.

Headteacher Christine Folker said: “We are delighted with our results which are a reflection of the hard work the pupils and staff but the results do not show the many other successes that I know teachers across the county have worked so hard on achieving.”

Churchfields Primary headteacher Delyth Wiltshire is retiring today on a high, with pupils helping the Atworth school come 28th in the table. She said: “It is a great way to end my time at the school.”

In north Wiltshire, Box Primary was delighted at coming 14th in the county. All pupils achieved level 4 or above in science, with 96 per cent in English and 93 per cent in maths reaching the level 4 target.