THERE is no other word, frankly, than outstanding for the new Key Stage 2 results from Oxford’s primary schools.

As we report today, the proportion of 11-year-olds who have achieved the benchmark Level 4 in English and maths has risen to 79 per cent from 68 per cent.

When you write out those statistics you don’t quite get the magnitude of what this means.

The reality is that, this year, 676 more children have achieved the mark in their education the Government demands.

For them as individuals that is likely to prove crucial for their futures.

However, that does not mean that last year’s or previous intakes of Year 6’s were in any shape a bunch of halfwits.

What yesterday’s results and analysis shows is that our education system should not be delivering a poor service to our children.

When this newspaper began to campaign against the frankly horrific results in the city, we said there was no silver bullet.

That remains largely the case. But this year’s improvement also shows that significant advancements can be made for our children if teachers, heads, the local education authority and parents recognise there are failings and endeavour to tackle them.

This is a magnificent first step and we salute everyone in the education community – but we now want more.

Now Oxford has hit the national average we should not just settle.

This city is not average. It is outstanding and we should have an education system befitting it.

And if you think that is being too demanding then just think of that number above: 676 children have reached a good level of reading, writing and maths when arguably last year they would not.