From the devastation caused by the arson attack back in January this year, which destroyed their classroom along with their work, books and personal belongings, the Avenue School in Warminster have risen to achieve the best results the school has ever seen.

The year six pupils have shown great resilience, one of the schools’ six expectations, and have bounced back to make outstanding progress and attainment in their SATs.

Mr Stuart Porter, Headteacher said: “The fire and total destruction of their classrooms at the beginning of the year was a huge challenge for our 10 and 11 year olds to overcome.

“Of course it was not only the shock of losing everything in those classrooms, but also that they lost valuable learning time as we had to shut the school whilst new classroom spaces were prepared.

“Very unsettling for us all!”

This is the second year in a row that the data from the year six children has stood out, and the school is hopeful it will put them in the top quarter of schools nationally for Reading, Writing and Maths, although this is yet to be confirmed

The school is confident that the results are some of the best they have ever achieved even with the new national curriculum and the rise in expectations from the Government.

Miss Caroline Thomas, Acting Headteacher at the Avenue Primary School said: “Not only are we are delighted with the progress and results that our year sixes have achieved, but also with the level of maturity they have shown given the events earlier in the year.

“They have displayed tremendous strength of character in all they have done this year.”

Louise Kilminster, year six class teacher, who won Wiltshire Teacher of the Year Award earlier this year, said: “The class have worked incredibly hard and we are all so proud of them. It is very much a Team Avenue effort with many staff supporting the children and running intervention groups.

“Particular thanks must go to year six teaching assistants Amber Whitehouse and Lisa Bamsey and librarian Nicola Craddock for their inspirational work with these children.”

Year 6 were on a residential trip last week at Stone Farm and had their leavers Celebration Evening and disco on Wednesday, followed by a Rewards trip to Brokerswood on Thursday, funded by the Fudge Trust as a result of the fire.

Both staff and pupils at Avenue school are delighted to end the school year on such a positive note.