SCHOOLS in the Basingstoke area have come out tops in performance tables published this week.

The 2001 Primary Schools Performance Tables give each school an average points score based on the results of English, maths and science key stage two tests.

Of 38 schools in and around Basingstoke, a total of 28 scored above the national average of 27.3 points. Oakley Church of England Junior School and The Priory Primary School in Tadley scored the highest with 30.5 points, followed closely by Chalkridge Primary School in Brighton Hill with 30.4.

"One hundred per cent of our pupils reached level four or above in their key stage two maths tests," said David Hale, headteacher of The Priory. "We also achieved 100 per cent in science and 96 per cent in English.

"The standards produced have been very high and we have been a top performing school for the last five years. I am especially pleased because I also recieved an outstanding Ofsted report this week."

But not all schools believe that this week's league tables are a good indicator of their performance.

South View Junior School in Basingstoke scored 24. However, headteacher Angela King said: "These tables do not show how much our pupils may have improved since infant school. A pupil may jump three levels, but the league tables do not show this.

"In the 'value added' figures for maths, which do take into account the number of levels that children move up, I understand that we are one of the best schools in the county."

Don Allen, the county council's executive member for education, congratulated schools on their results.

He said: "This year's primary performance tables are very encouraging for Hampshire.

"School staff, pupils and parents are to be congratulated on their efforts."

Several schools in the Basingstoke area had 100 per cent pass rates in science, including Greenfields Junior School in Hartley Wintney and St Mark's Primary School in Hatch Warren.

Hampshire schools did, though, experience a decrease in the number of pupils gaining level four or above in maths this year - in line with a nationwide trend.