A NUMBER of schools in north Trafford have recorded much improved results in their Key Stage Two test results - bucking the trend of the borough as a whole.

But even headteachers at this year's most successful schools felt that the Government league tables were unfair.

Trafford finished third in Greater Manchester overall, but its results fell by 4.8 per cent compared to last year - the biggest fall in the region.

St Mary's C of E Primary School in Davyhulme finished joint top of the table, with 100 per cent of its 11 year-olds reaching Level Four in English and science.

It also managed a 93 per cent success rate in maths, giving it an overall total of 293 points. The school's results have improved each year since it gained a total of 172 in 1998.

Headteacher Carol Royle, who is leaving the school at the end of this term, said it was a nice note to end on - but said she thought schools should be judged in other ways.

She said: "Our school is delighted, especially as we know what it's like to be close to the bottom of these tables.

"I don't think it's the best measure of how good the school is. Too much emphasis is placed on league tables."

Wellacre Junior School headteacher John Reilly agreed. His school leapt up the table this year after finishing bottom last year. It improved on its overall points total by more than 100, gaining a score of 249.

But he said: "The drastic change in position hides the real truth - the truth which exemplifies the unfairness of the tables.

"Last year the professionalism, hard work and commitment of the staff was just as evident as this year - the support of the governing body was just as strong, the management structure was exactly the same.

"We will continue to be an example of why the league tables as they are can never be a true reflection of what good work is done in so many schools in Trafford and beyond."

The borough's average scores in all three key areas beat the national averages. But they dropped by 4.8 per cent compared to last year's results.

At Old Trafford's St Alphonsus RC Primary School, 100 per cent of pupils achieved Level Four in English and science. And 86 per cent achieved the same level in maths, sending it soaring into the league top 10.

The results gave the school an overall total of 286 points, compared to just 169 four years ago. Headteacher Anthony Rae said: "Five years ago we were third from bottom in the table. The school has gone from strength to strength.

"But we believe that the league tables aren't a very fair way of showing how successful a school is. We're delighted with the results, but there is more to the school than that."