Manland Primary School in Harpenden has made the top one per cent for phonics across the country.

On January 8, the UK Government's minister for schools, Damian Hinds, wrote a letter of congratulations to the institution detailing its "particular success".

The school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in the 2023 Phonics Screening Check for all pupils in Year 1.

Mr Hinds MP's letter read: "We want to ensure every child develops a firm grasp of phonics as the basis on which to improve standards of reading.

"As such, I was delighted to see your results.

"Your particular success in teaching phonics and early reading so effectively means your pupils are developing a firm foundation, from which they can become increasingly fluent and develop a lifelong love of reading.

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"I would like to thank you for commitment and success in this vital area of a child's early education and congratulate you, your staff and pupils again on all you have achieved."

Manland Primary School's headteacher, Mrs Wicks, added: "This is fantastic achievement and we are incredibly proud of all our pupils.

"This result is testament to all the hard work put in by staff and pupils at Manland Primary."