A COUNTY primary school is celebrating its best ever results after getting a helping hand from a private school.

Dry Sandford Primary, near Abingdon, has worked with nearby Cothill House prep school for eight years and this year recorded its best ever exam results.

The private school provides one full-time teacher, Polly Bennett, to its local authority-led neighbour.

For the past two years, pupils’ progress from seven to 11 in reading, writing and maths has been in the top 10 per cent of schools in England. This year, 86 per cent of 11-year-olds achieved or surpassed expectations in Key Stage 2 exams – up by 15 per cent from last year.

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Ms Bennett, who is employed by Cothill House, arrived at Dry Sandford eight years ago as a support teacher for children with learning difficulties.

Her role developed to teaching larger groups and she now leads lunchtime clubs and helps organise school productions and residential trips.

Last year she tutored the majority of Year Six in maths, which culminated in the school being in the top 10 per cent for maths in the country.

Headteacher Karen Harrington said: “The input from Cothill and Polly in particular has been a real boost to the school. Like all organisations, collaboration with others allows us to take the best from other systems, and fulfil our potential.”

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