DOZENS of primary schools in Torbay and South Devon are celebrating after improving their SATs results.

More than 30 schools in the area have achieved higher value added scores than was expected of them in this year's key stage two results.

A total of 19 primaries in the Bay, seven in the South Hams and 14 in Teignbridge achieved value added scores of more than 100, which the Government considers to be 'average'.

Anyone scoring higher is understood to be doing well, while anyone scoring less is underachieving by Government standards.

Brixham Church of England Primary in Brixham is the best school in South Devon with a value added score of 102.3.

Headteacher Mel Easter said: "We're just amazed with the standards we've achieved. We're so proud. The children have worked so hard. The results are beyond our expectations."

Mrs Easter said the results were even more remarkable because the school had expanded and the pupils were the first to go through the SATs exams.

She added: "It reflects on the hard work and dedication of the staff and parents who have been supporting the children all the way through."

Rik Meek, headteacher at Dartmouth Primary in Milton Lane, was also delighted with his school's 101.7 score.

He said it placed the school in the top five per cent of schools nationally.

He said: "By the added value measure this is a massive improvement. It shows that for our pupils they're doing very well."

SATs exams evaluate pupils' achievements in English, maths and science.

In Devon, 81 per cent of pupils achieved a level four in English, 80 per cent achieved a similar level in maths, while 90 per cent achieved level four in science.

In Torbay, a separate local education authority, 79 per cent of pupils achieved level four in English, 77 per cent in maths, and 87 per cent of them achieved level four in science.

Canada Hill in Ogwell, Newton Abbot, is another of the schools to score higher than 100 points.

Headteacher Delphine Knott said: "The terrific SATs results are a reflection of the hard work put in by the staff and children in the school. The teaching staff have worked tirelessly to produce an exciting and adventurous curriculum across the school which is having a massive impact on the enjoyment of learning and in turn enabling the children to achieve great things."

Hayes Primary in Paignton also achieved a value added total of 100.7.

But headteacher Malcolm Wright said it was time to move away from SATs exams and have a new system in place that takes into account pupils' work throughout the year.

He said: "I'm pleased with the way our school, which was in special measures 10 years ago, has improved. We're up on last year. But the exam results should not be all that matters. It seems the emphasis is on exam outcomes. It seems the world has gone data mad."

Pete Maunder, headteacher at Oldway School primary, agreed, saying: "Although I am delighted to acknowledge the hard work, progress and achievement of our pupils, placing them in the top nine per cent in the country, I still believe all schools should be held to account on a broad spectrum of achievement and not merely for how well children perform in a narrow and inaccurate testing regime.

"Once again our pupils' writing scripts were incorrectly marked. I believe we should move to a system built around validated teacher assessment that is fairer to children and fairer to schools when called to account for school outcomes."

Heather Boote, headteacher of Stoke Gabriel Primary which scored 100, said it was not reflective of the work of a school with a small number of pupils.

She said: "The school is working hard to raise the standards in both maths and English with all our pupils."