The tests have been controversial since they were introduced in 2008, and now experts say improvements in student performance has been minimal.

Nationally, primary school students have made minimal improvement over the last seven years, according to new data, while high school students have slipped in results.

The stagnated test results have led to some education experts calling for an overhaul in teaching if student performances are to improve.

But Holy Family bucks the trend, showing improvements across all but one of the tested areas.

NAPLAN tests five areas – reading, persuasive writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy, with national testing undertaken for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

At Holy Family, year 3 and 5 students have improved in all areas, except persuasive writing, since the tests were introduced.

Mr Arrow said he found the results useful to know where the school sits on a national level, but ideally principals should be focused on their school’s results.

He said results highlight areas in which they were excelling or lacking.

But he said there are shortcomings with NAPLAN and in the end “it’s just one test on one day so you’re not getting a full picture of their level of achievement”.

Mr Arrow said another shortcoming was when results were released, schools couldn’t be compared “apples with apples” as each had a different demographic.

Preliminary results from the 2015 NAPLAN tests released this week are disappointing, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) literacy expert Dr Jae Major.

The CSU senior lecturer in teacher education said plateauing results should encourage parents and education professionals to question the test rather than place the blame on teachers.

“It can be easy to blame teachers for results, but there is increasing evidence that high stakes, national standardised testing has little impact on achievement,” she said.

“[It] begs the question of why we are spending so much money on something that doesn’t enhance learning outcomes.

“Tests such as NAPLAN provide a snapshot in time, and measure a very limited set of specific and narrow skills.”