STANDARDS in the county's 475 primary schools have shown only a slight improvement, according to official Government league tables.

Results for the Key Stage 2 tests - taken by all 11-year-olds - show that pupils did slightly better in maths and English this year but did less well in science.

Overall, Kent's performance was a little below the national average in all three subjects.

In English, 74 per cent of pupils achieved the nationally-expected level (Level Four), compared with 72.7 per cent the previous year.

In maths, 70 per cent of pupils achieved the nationally-expected level, compared with 69.8 per cent the previous year.

In science, there was a small dip in performance with 82 per cent of pupils making the nationally-expected level compared with 84.6 per cent last year.

For the second year, the tables also include the number of children doing better than the national average, recorded as the percentage of pupils reaching Level Five.

Here, there was a mixed picture. In English, 25 per cent achieved Level Five, a slight dip on last year (25.5per cent).

In maths, the figure was 30 per cent compared with 28.5 per cent last year and in science, it was 36 per cent compared with 36.7 per cent last year.

Cllr Paul Carter, KCC's cabinet member for education, said he expected results to improve next year.

"We are doing all we can and believe we will now see improvements from the various initiatives we have implemented. We have an excellent school improvement team and I am optimistic that the green shoots we are seeing in Key Stage 1 results for seven-year-olds feeding through," he said.