NAPLAN results: Top 20 inner west primary schools revealed

Meriden School has topped a list of the top 20 inner west primary schools based on NAPLAN results.

Students from Meriden School aced NAPLAN. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

• Inner West HSC rankings
• Bunnings Tempe megastore delayed

Meriden School has topped a list of the top 20 inner west primary schools based on NAPLAN results.

The Strathfield school’s year three students showed they were in a class of their own by achieving results substantially above their peers at similar schools across the country in writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

But principal Julie Greenhalgh said the key to their success was not to become too fixated on the program, which she described as “a narrow assessment at a particular point in time”.

Newington College in Stanmore was ranked second in a list of the top 20 inner west primary schools based on NAPLAN results

“Our NAPLAN results are strong because we focus on expert teaching and learning and don’t worry about NAPLAN,” Dr Greenhalgh said.

“By keeping in mind the overall learning outcomes for the entire year and ensuring the girls are mastering the skills of inquiry learning, research, comprehension and problem-solving, we are preparing them for much more than NAPLAN.

“The irony is that, in so doing, we are also improving their NAPLAN results.”

Meriden principal Julie Greenhalgh said the trick was not to worry too much about NAPLAN.

Analysis by the Courier revealed independent and catholic schools dominated the top 20 list with Newington College in Stanmore ranking second, followed by MLC Burwood in third place.

Newington’s year five students shone the most by outperforming their peers at similar schools in all five benchmarks on reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy.

St Mary’s Catholic Primary in Erskineville ranked fourth, followed by Presbyterian Ladies College in Croydon, St Fiacre Catholic Primary School in Leichhardt and Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School in Balmain/Rozelle.

Meriden School also excelled at the secondary level, ranking second in a list of the top 10 performing local high schools behind Fort St High in Petersham.

Top 20 inner west primary schools

1. Meriden School, Strathfield

2. Newington College, Stanmore

3. MLC Burwood

4. St Mary’s Catholic Primary, Erskineville

5. Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon

6. St Fiacre Catholic Primary School, Leichhardt

7. Fr John Therry Catholic Primary School, Balmain/Rozelle

8. Trinity Grammar, Summer Hill

9. Burwood Public, Burwood

10. All Hallows Catholic Primary School, Five Dock

11. Petersham Public School, Lewisham

12. St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Annandale

13. St James Catholic Primary School, Glebe

14. Our Lady of the Assumption, North Strathfield

15. Croydon Public School

16. Inner Sydney Montessori School, Balmain

17. Strathfield North Public School

18. St Martha’s Catholic Primary, Strathfield

19. St Ambrose Catholic Primary, Concord West

20. Newtown North Public School