One Balham school exceeded expectations, with its recent results placing it in the top 1% in England.

Every single one of Trinity St Mary’s School’s Key Stage 2 pupils achieved or exceeded the nationally expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Headteacher, Lynn Anderson, said the success was down to the sense of community around the school.

She said: “We’re thrilled at the results. I have a highly experienced and dedicated team, and we all work with the children at the forefront of everything.

“As most schools do, we do it for the children, but we are lucky that we have staff like we do.

“I know all the parents, and all the children. I know what their needs are, what they excel at and their weaknesses too.”

Miss Anderson said communication, which the staff tries to do “as much as possible”, is key.

She said: “Parents say we are a family. We have our weaknesses like any family, but each year we just get better and better and better.

“It’s not all about SATs. We have a very creative curriculum. Before, it was very focused on maths and English.

“But our curriculum is relevant to real life even though we have the children from two to 11 years old, it’s about life experiences.”

Miss Anderson pointed to the school council’s involvement in recent interviews for new teachers to start in September.

And she also highlighted the decision to not take part in Children in Need, but rather support local charity Ella’s Home, which helps women who are recovering from experiences being trafficked and exploited.

The children learned, in an age-appropriate way, about the important work the charity does, she said.

Wandsworth’s cabinet member for education and children’s services, Sarah McDermott, said the praise being heaped on the school because of the results is “richly deserved”.

She added: “Trinity St Mary’s is an excellent school and I would like to add my own congratulations to all its staff and pupils who are achieving great things together.”

The sentiment was echoed by two education ministers – Education Secretary Damien Hinds and School Standards Minister Nick Gibb – who wrote to Miss Anderson in a joint letter.

They wrote: “We would like to congratulate you, your staff and your pupils on the very high standard of achievement demonstrated in the Key Stage 2 assessments last year.”

The letter outlined just how well the school had performed compared to the national average, and concluded: “Thank you for producing such high standards through your hard work and professionalism and congratulations again to you and your staff for all you have achieved.”