EDUCATION chiefs say classroom standards at Kent’s primary schools are “moving in the right direction” following the publication of the latest set of league tables.

The number of pupils achieving the expected standard in the three key subjects of English, maths and science rose fractionally across the county with Kent’s average point score broadly in line with the national figure.

But while there were a handful of county primary schools where 100 per cent of pupils achieved the expected standard, there was dismay at a Canterbury school which found itself ranked bottom of all schools.

Just 15 per cent of the 13 pupils who took the Key Stage 2 tests at Hersden Primary reached the expected level in English and science and 23 per cent in maths.

Across Kent, the government’s tables show that in English, 77 per cent of pupils reached Level Four in the key stage two tests, against 79 per cent nationally. That represented a one per cent rise on 2005.

In maths, 72 per cent of pupils reached Level Four against 76 per cent nationally – also a one per cent increase on 2005, while in science, 84 per cent of pupils reached Level Four against 87 per cent nationally.

Kent’s average point score – a figure reflecting attainment across all three subjects and the number of pupils sitting the tests was 27.4, broadly the same as for the national average of 27.8.

Ranked by local authority, Kent County Council was in the bottom third of all education authorities. However, KCC said it had fared better when its results where compared to what are called its “statistical neighbours” – areas with a similar social profile.

Although those rankings do not appear in the official tables, Kent said it was fourth out of the 11 other authorities it was most similar to when it came to the value added measure, which reflects the progress made by schools from the time they start school.

Cllr John Simmonds (Con), KCC cabinet member for education and school improvement said: “Key Stage Two has been a frustrating area for us in the past, but we now seem to be making good progress.

"Individually, many of our schools are achieving some really excellent results and I would like to congratulate the teachers, governors, children and parents for all their hard work and dedication.

"I believe we have in place a robust school improvement plan that is starting to reap rewards in each of the Key Stages and I look forward to further improvements.”