A Teignbridge primary school has been named as one of the 100 top performing schools in the country.

St Catherine’s C of E Nursery and Primary School at Heathfield has been identified by Schools’ Minister David Laws as one of the nation’s top performing schools.

He has written to executive headteacher Martin Harding to congratulate the whole school community on its success in significantly improving performance in the Key Stage 2 SATs tests from 2009 to 2012.

Mr Laws says that it is an “excellent performance”.

“Your results show that you are amongst the 100 top performing schools based on sustained improvement each year from 2009-2012,” says Mr Laws.

“Mastery of English and maths is critical to success at secondary school and beyond, so these pupils have given themselves a really good start for the next stage of their education.

“I would like to congratulate your staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success and to thank you for your leadership in continuing the drive towards the highest standards of educational achievement.”

The new £3 million school, at the heart of the Heathfield community, opened in 2005 and incorporates seven classrooms with a purpose-built nursery and playing field.

St. Catherine’s is part of the successful United Schools Federation with St. Michael’s C of E Nursery and Primary School in Kingsteignton.

The last Ofsted inspection of St. Michael’s rated it an outstanding school and St. Catherine’s was judged to be good with many outstanding features in November 2011.

Mr Harding said: “Our aim is for St Catherine’s to be judged as an outstanding school when it is next inspected by Ofsted and we will continue to strive for improvement.

“Working in federation brings many benefits to schools and I am delighted that St Catherine’s has received this accolade.

“It is a fitting acknowledgement for the head of school, Adrian Clements, and all the teachers, support staff and pupils for their hard work and their families for all their support.”

Mr Clements said: “We all share the drive to make St Catherine’s an outstanding school for the children in the community we serve.

“Our motto is Dream, Believe, Achieve and that underpins everything we do.”