This Leeds school has been ranked the best in the city and in the top 25 in the country

Hillcrest Academy in Chapeltown has achieved the top rating despite being rated as inadequate just seven years ago.

With Reading, Writing and Mathematics progress measures all in the top 0.01% of all Primary Schools in England, the school’s success was confirmed in the Government Performance Tables released on Friday - all are well above national averages.

The school’s combined average progress measure ranks them as the 23rd best performing school in England, from a list of over 20,000.

The school, sponsored in 2014 by The GORSE Academies Trust, has seen ‘a remarkable transformation’ over recent years thanks largely to the support of the successful Multi Academy Trust.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in 2016 that the school had secured an Outstanding judgement.On Friday last week, the University of Cambridge announced along with another Outstanding GORSE Primary, Morley Newlands Academy, the schools had each been awarded World Class School Status.

This status has only been achieved by seven other primary schools in the country.

Principal, Sam Done, who has been at the academy since 2015, is understandably elated.

Mr Done said: “Since our Ofsted judgement in 2016 we recognised that there was still so much that we, and more importantly the pupils, could achieve.

"Even when pupils arrive with us very late into their primary school experience, especially from other countries, we are proud to say that we support them to make rapid progress.

"There is never a ceiling on the learning of any pupil in our academy.

"Granted, the outcomes are incredible, but I’m more delighted with the achievement of the completely pupil led World Class Award, as it is our pupils and families that makes us the school we are’."

Chair of Governors Peter Gruen added: “Everyone at school, but particularly our pupils are very excited and proud that we have achieved this quite incredible milestone.

"Some of us have been here for a very long time and remember the difficult and hard times, and so the transformation over the last few years has been truly inspiring and humbling.

"We are immensely proud to be at the heart of this community and are very pleased to give Chapeltown and Leeds such good news.”

Trust CEO, Sir John Townsley, commented: "‘For Hillcrest Academy to be seen as one of the very best schools in the country is immensely important for every one of us. Most importantly, it is the recognition of a standard which is transforming opportunities for hundreds of children in our city.’"