YOUNGSTERS leaving infant schools behind to head to junior level are doing better than ever across the Stratford area, according to this year's Standard Assessment Tests.

Key Stage one pupils, who are aged seven, made continued improvements through last year in the three "Rs", with reading, writing and maths all seeing an upturn on top marks compared to previous years. The results have delighted county education chiefs and headteachers alike as they prove the area is among the best in the country for student achievement.

Across the county, there were improvements in reading and writing. A total of 69.9% of pupils scored level 2B or above - the middle of level 2, which is the nationally expected level for children at the age of Key Stage one - in reading, which is 0.7% up on last year. While 59.5% reached level 2B in writing compared to last year's total of 57.3%.

However, the largest improvement came in mathematics, where 73.6% of pupils reached 2B level compared to 64.5% last year, while 89.9% reached level two.

Interestingly, girls continue to outperform boys at Key Stage one level in English and maths, which was mirrored in this year's GCSE and A Level results. However, boys do slightly better at maths with a slender margin of boys reaching the higher marks.

"It is good to be able to record another year of sustained improvement," said county education officer Eric Wood.

"These results are a marvellous testament to the continued hard work of teachers and the successful impact of teaching strategies across the county."

Eric Davies, head of Thomas Jolyffe Community Primary, said he had been delighted at the performance of his Key Stage one and two children this year.

"We did generally better in Key Stages one and two than last year, which is a testament to the kids' hard work," he said.