PRIMARY school test results in English and maths improved slightly this year, with children in Worcestershire beating the national average.

Children aged seven and 11 in the county's 200 primary schools were tested.

Seven-year-olds did better in reading, writing and maths compared with the national average.

Across England, the proportion of 11-year-olds reaching the level expected of their age group in English and maths rose by one per cent, but tests in science saw no improvement on last year.

The statistics leave the Government some way short of its target of raising primary school standards due to be met next year.

The figures showed:

l In English, 79 per cent of 11-year-olds reached Level 4 of the National Curriculum

l In maths, 75 per cent reached this standard.

l In science, 86 per cent of pupils achieved this level.

The science figures follow a fall in the number of pupils reaching the expected standard last year.

National assessments for seven-year-olds in England also showed slight improvements in the new, toned-down assessments, with results up one per cent in reading, writing and maths.

Tomorrow, GSCE students will receive their results.