More than a quarter of Birmingham children have left primary school without a good grasp of being able to write and a fifth unable to read or have a basic knowledge of maths.

The results from Key Stage 2 Sats tests show many 11-year-old are struggling with the basics of the three R’s.

In writing tests only 72 per cent – or 9,504 out of a total of 13,200 children – achieved Level 4 or above, the standard expected for their age.

Results were slightly better in maths at 78 per cent, or 10,296 children, making the grade.

With the best results in reading as 80 per cent, or 10,560 children, reached the required standard.

Boys and girls both scored the same in the maths exam.

But boys lagged behind girls in reading and writing.

In reading, 76 per cent of boys got up to Level 4, or above, compared with 85 cent of girls.

While for writing, the figure fell to 65 per cent of boys reaching the required level, against 78 per cent of girls.

Coun Les Lawrence, cabinet member for children, young people and families at Birmingham City Council, said although results had improved, some of the reason why children were still failing was because of “significant challenges” facing the city as children move from abroad.

He said: “There will be a number of children who are newly arrived in the country. We are a city which has a significant number, but the intent is always to get as close to 100 per cent as possible.”

Across Britain the Sats tests showed that one in three youngsters failed to achieve the level expected of them in reading, writing and maths, according to the Department for Education.

National curriculum tests, known as Sats, are taken by pupils in their final year of primary school, and have been fiercely opposed by teaching unions, with a boycott held last year.

Ministers announced plans last month, following an independent review, to scrap the creative writing paper from 2013.

The writing paper, which forms part of the overall writing test, has long been seen as the most controversial, with teachers arguing it is hard to mark because answers are open to interpretation.

Pupils will sit a larger test in spelling, grammar and punctuation in the future.