Tests results recently published show that 11-year-old pupils from nearly all the town's schools achieved higher grades than last year.

"Knutsford schools have done well and we need to congratulate the children," said Egerton School head John Manning.

"They have worked hard and achieved their best."

The Government tests in maths, English and science are designed to find out how many children are reaching the expected standard for their age.

This year pupils from every junior school in the country, including 256 schools in Cheshire, spent a week taking two exams in each subject.

Results prove that the county's - and the town's - children are well ahead of the national norm.

But Mr Manning said that although the tests were important, they should be treated only as an indication of pupils' ability.

"Some years you have a good group of children going through and other years they do not achieve as much," he said.

"There are also other factors that can make a difference like the school's catchment area and the number of children in the group."

Instead he said that parents should also take note of teachers' assessments of the children's work throughout the school year.

"The tests are very restricted and do not look at the work primary schools do with subjects like music, history, geography and Christmas plays," he said.

"These subjects are not measured at all."

Results for tiny village schools like Ashley and Chelford School are not measured because less than 10 pupils sat the tests.

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