WYRE Forest middle and primary schools had mixed results with the publication of the annual education league tables.

Seven of the 11 middle schools involved in the district's education shake-up saw their average points score per pupil drop, compared to last year's figures.

All the schools involved in the change will close in September, 2007, when the three-tier system is scrapped and two-tier model introduced.

The tables are based on the key stage two national curriculum Standard Assessment Test results taken by children aged 10 and 11 in May.

Nine of the schools being axed saw their Worcestershire Local Education Authority ranking - based on the aggregate scores in English, maths and science - slip this year.

Wribbenhall Middle School and Bewdley's St Anne's Middle School, which will both shut, were among the best performers in the district after beating the national average point score per pupil figure of 27.6.

Kidderminster's Comberton Middle School, which had 156 youngsters taking the tests, had level four pass rates of 83 per cent in English, 84 per cent in maths and 97 per cent in science.

Bayton CE Primary School had cause for celebration after it leaped 48 places up the Worcestershire LEA table and was the county's eighth highest placed school.

All 12 pupils who took the tests in English and science attained the level four standard and 92 per cent gained the mark in maths.

Avis Pounder, who has been head of the school for four years, said: "We are delighted with the results and they really are well deserved because the staff and pupils have worked very hard.

"We try to ensure that every child realises their full potential by offering support and guidance throughout the curriculum. We also have a good partnership with parents. That is very important."

Birchen Coppice Middle School fared worst in Wyre Forest, according to the tables published by the Department of Education and Skills, despite seeing a big increase in the number of pupils attaining the expected standard in the three core subjects.

Wendy Taylor, who has been head at the Woodbury Road school for seven years, slammed the league table system and would like to see them scrapped.

She explained: "I think the league tables are totally immoral. It is very demoralising for the staff and the children when they are released.

"They do not take into account so many of the good things that happen throughout the school year and I find that sad.

"This year's results are the best we have ever had. The children have progressed well above the national average from when they came to this school but the tables do not show that."

ENGLISH

Stourport's Burlish Middle was the only school in the district to top the 90 per cent mark. The national average pass rate was 79 per cent.

Birchen Coppice Middle School in Kidderminster saw a big improvement in its level four pass rate. It increased from 32 per cent in 2004 to 56 per cent this year.

MATHS

Wyre Forest children found this the most difficult subject.

Wribbenhall Middle School performed well, with 85 per cent of pupils passing the level four standard, which was an increase of 15 per cent in comparison to last year.

Kidderminster's Comberton Middle School also had cause for cheer after 84 per cent of its 156 pupils reached the mark.

The national average pass rate was 75 per cent.

SCIENCE

It proved to be the top subject for the district's youngsters. Every school saw a more than 70 per cent pass rate. It also proved popular with pupils across the country. Eighty-eight per cent of pupils obtained the expected score.

All 12 pupils who took the test at Bayton CE Primary School reached the benchmark score. Blakedown CE Primary School also registered a 100 per cent pass rate.

St Wulstan's Catholic Primary School, in Stourport, scored the lowest with 80 per cent of its children getting to the level four standard.