by political editor Paul Francis

Classroom standards in Kent’s primary schools have shown some improvements this year, but remain behind the national average.

Results for Key Stage 2 tests - so-called SATs - taken by 10-and-11-year-olds have been published by the Department for Education and reveal a mixed picture across the county.

The number of pupils achieving Level Four - the expected national level - in both maths and English rose to 70 per cent from 68 per cent in 2009. The national average was 73 per cent.

The percentage of pupils reaching Level Four in English remained static at 78 per cent, below the national average of 80 per cent.

In maths, 77 per cent of children reached Level Four compared to 75 per cent the previous year, slightly below the national average of 79 per cent.

However, 90 of Kent’s 436 primaries - nearly one in four - failed to reach the government’s new tougher target for 60 per cent of all pupils to reach Level 4 in English and maths combined.

And no results were recorded for 24 primary schools because of a boycott of the tests by teaching unions.

There were mixed results for pupils when it came to numbers reaching higher standards in the two subjects.

In English, 28 per cent achieved Level Five, the same as in 2009. In maths, the figure was 34 per cent - up by one per cent.

There was good news for six schools, listed as among the most improved in the country. Topping this list is Oak Trees Community School in Maidstone, where 53 per cent achieved Level Four in maths and English compared to none in 2008.

The results come as Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education - told Kent that more needed to be done to raise primary standards. In a formal assessment, inspectors said raising performance at primary schools should be a priority.

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, Cllr Sarah Hohler, said: "I am pleased the results for level 4+ English and mathematics combined are up by two per cent.

"However, I want to see those figures improve in the coming years.

"There will continue to be intensive support for those schools below the target and partnerships between schools to help raise attainment.

"It is difficult to compare Kent with the national average this year. Only 6 per cent of Kent primary schools boycotted the tests, compared to 26 per cent nationally.

"The results are what they are, but can we be absolutely confident that the national average is a true reflection?"

• The SATs tables no longer include the performance of pupils in science at Level 4 and Level 5. However, the tables now also include teacher assessment data, indicating the number of pupils who have been assessed as being at Level 4 in English, maths and science.

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