PUPILS at a County Durham primary school have been ranked among the best in the country for early years reading.

In a recent phonics screening check, at least 95 per cent of pupils at Red Rose Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, reached the required pass mark.

The result means the school is now ranked in the top eight per cent of all primary schools in the country.

Headteacher Sue Bainbridge, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for all of our Year One pupils and sets a very high standard of teaching at the school.

“Our motto is ‘Aim High Be Proud’ and the children have certainly achieved this.

“It is important to teach and provide Year One pupils with a firm foundation in reading so that they can develop further as they get older.”

The results earned praise from the Government’s schools standards minister Nick Gibb MP.

He said: “I would like to congratulate all staff and pupils at Red Rose Primary School for delivering a very high standard of achievement in the 2016 phonics screening check.”