PRIMARY schools in Suffolk have seen an overall improvement in English standards in the last year while mathematics and science results have stood still.

PRIMARY schools in Suffolk have seen an overall improvement in English standards in the last year while mathematics and science results have stood still.

The news is revealed in the publication today of primary school league tables, based on Key Stage Two tests for 11-year-olds nationwide.

They show Suffolk's 11-year-olds have improved in English, with 78% of pupils reaching level four - the expected level - which is 2% more than last year.

Meanwhile, 71% of pupils reached level four in maths and 85% reached level four in science - both figures identical to last year.

However, primary education in Suffolk scored an overall lower mark than the neighbouring counties of Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Cllr Patricia O'Brien, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for children, schools and young people's services said: “Every year teachers and pupils work hard to achieve the best results and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on their efforts.

“Key Stage Two has been maintained in maths and science but has gone up in English. Key Stage Two remains a priority for improvement for the county council and schools.

“Key Stage One and Two exams help assess effectiveness and planning for the next steps in pupil development.

“Schools use these results to target performance, to raise standards and reach pupils who have particular needs. We will continue to work with schools to draw out best practice to ensure that pupils have good opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to help them later in their education.”

This year's tables saw Henley Primary School in Ipswich take the top slot, increasing its performance in 2004 by 17 places.

A total of 14 pupils at Henley sat the tests, achieving a 100% pass rate in English, maths and science.

Ann Waters, headteacher, said: “The results represent a lot of hard work by pupils, all the staff and parents and governors at the school.

“However, as those who work in a small school know, results can fluctuate from year to year. We are very proud of all our pupils' achievements at whatever level and we will continue to aim for the highest standards.”

Last year's top performer, Bealings Primary School, near Woodbridge, slipped this year to 23rd place while Shotley Primary fell from second to 40th place this year.

Ranelagh Primary School in Ipswich has been named as one of the most improved schools in the country because its aggregate English, maths and science results have improved consecutively since 2002. The school jumped from 64th place to 56th place this year in the county's league tables.

Bildeston Primary School climbed 89 places, from 104th place to 15th place this year.

A spokeswoman for the school said last night: “We are pleased and it involved a lot of hard work across the school. We are very pleased with the result that comes of it.”

Other climbers included Mellis Primary, near Eye, which rose 36 places in the county league tables and is now in ninth place, and Trimley St Martin which has climbed from 59th to seventh place.

Hardwick Middle School in Bury St Edmunds climbed 10 places from 57th to 47th while Orford Primary has moved from 27th place to second.

Chalkstone Middle School in Haverhill was among the five lowest placed schools in Suffolk's league tables, in 126th place.

The school also had the highest truancy rate in the league tables, with the percentage of half-days missed by pupils due to truancy at 0.8%.

Murrayfield Primary in Ipswich fell two places to 129th while Downing Primary, also in Ipswich, came in at 122.