IN late 2000 it was announced that South Walney Community Junior School had broken into the top 100 junior schools in the country.

The league table was based on the results pupils got in reading, writing and arithmetic tests (SATS).

COMPUTER: Pupils in the computer suite in 2000

COMPUTER: Pupils in the computer suite in 2000

It was the results obtained by the 63 year six Walney pupils that propelled the school to number 91 in the national league table - the only Cumbrian school in the top 100.

Headteacher Christine Cunningham said: “It is a huge thing and we are immensely proud of the children.

"When we told them what they had achieved they were very pleased.”

Mrs Cunningham had joined the school in March 1998.

Since then, her team had started after-school and lunchtime clubs, a choir was formed, a homework club opened and rugby league teaching begun. The rugby team had won the Dean Marwood youth rugby trophy for the previous two years.

MUSIC: A recorder recital in 2000 from South Walney Junior School pupils (from left) Amy, Kris, Sammi, Kimberley and Michael

MUSIC: A recorder recital in 2000 from South Walney Junior School pupils (from left) Amy, Kris, Sammi, Kimberley and Michael

The school’s ten teachers had been implementing daily literacy and numeracy hours.

Mrs Kent said: “We also formed a school council with class representatives that gives them a sense of ownership of the school.

“If they feel something needs changing or want to raise an issue they can.

“There are also class prefects to help look after the younger children and take visitors around the school.”

RUGBY: South Walney Junior School rugby team in 2000. The team had won the Dean Marwood Trophy competition for the past two years

RUGBY: South Walney Junior School rugby team in 2000. The team had won the Dean Marwood Trophy competition for the past two years

Two of the Walney teachers who had taken a special interest in the literacy and numeracy programme, Zena Holgate and Michelle Banks, had become national consultants on it.

The strong community/school relationship had seen an influx of parents into the Victorian building on Central Drive to help.

Mrs Cunningham said: "We have eight part-time learning support assistants, very good teams of dinner ladies and cleaners, an enthusiastic admin manager and secretary."

She said the league tables were only a small part of what made a good school. "Of course, we are very pleased with results but we are just as pleased when we see youngsters enjoying themselves being at school."