STANDARDS in maths have improved at some Isle of Wight schools.

Following a drive to improve standards, Key Stage 2 children in around half the Island's primary schools improved their marks by 15 per cent.

Provisional figures show the £155,000 government-funded project, launched last summer, helped boost pupils understanding of maths.

Year 5 and 6 were taught maths in four ten-week cycles. Teachers identified gaps in learning then developed strategies, using external support, to get pupils back on track.

Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for education, Cllr Paul Brading, said: “This is a magnificent achievement and credit should go to all the children involved, their teachers and those who masterminded this project.

"Even though it has been trialled in half the primary schools, it has been such a success it has boosted the age-related expectations in figures for maths across all our primary schools by eight per cent, and the combined figure for reading, writing and maths by five per cent.

“These improvements are testament to the drive and tenacity of leaders in these schools, the commitment of the teachers and the engagement of the pupils.

“These figures for maths bring us broadly in line with the national average, and it is vital now to secure these improvements for future years.

The scheme will now be rolled out to the remaining primary schools.