MOST Burnham and Highbridge schools scored better exam results than the national average, according to new Government figures.

The Department for Education and Skills data shows more Burnham and Highbridge schools than ever before are mastering the basics of Key Stage Two.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Burnham, stands at the top end of the Primary School Achievement and Attainment Table, with 97% of Year Six pupils passing English and 94% maths and science in exams earlier this year.

This compares favourably to the national average of 79% success in English, 76% in maths and 87% in science.

Head teacher Simon Kingwell praised the children for their hard work but warned against getting carried away with the exam success.

"You cannot really read too much into SAT results because we had a good group of children and are pleased with the grades but next year could be different," he said.

"I certainly don't like to compare with other schools because every school is different and every group of children is different."

The worst performing school, St John's Church of Eng-land Junior School in Highbridge, scored below the national average.

Only 71% passed in English, 82% in science and just over half made the grade in English Head teacher David Penney said: "It is part of what we are judged by but it is only part of it. Any school should be judged on its children and the totality of what it is about. Frankly I would be saying that if we had the best results in the area too."

St Joseph's shares the top three spaces with St And-rew's Church of England Junior School, Burnham, and Brent Knoll Church of Eng-land Primary School.

Berrow Church of England Primary School and West Huntspill Community Primary School were among the lesser performing schools in the area.

Somerset County Council's educational department revealed Burnham and Highbridge schools collectively performed better than the county average.

Press officer Jan Hookings told the Weekly News: "On the whole Burnham and Highbridge schools have done better than the national or Somerset picture in terms of Level Four Plus (Key Stage Two) in all three subjects."