Primary schools in the West Midlands saw significant improvements as Government figures showed record numbers of 11-year-olds met key performance targets this year.

Levels of achievement nationally in the core subjects of English, maths and science at key stage two were are at their highest yet, the Department for Education and Skills said.

Primary school league tables out today reveal 76 per cent of 11-year-olds achieved the expected target of level four in maths in England, up one per cent per cent from last year.

Standards in science were also up one per cent to 87 per cent while the proportion reaching the target in English remained 79 per cent.

In the West Midlands, the upward trend was led by Solihull, now the second best place in the country for primary schools and up four places from last year.

Sandwell finally managed to rid itself of the enviable reputation as the worst authority for primary education and rose four places up the rank of 150 LEAs to joint 139th place.

Walsall's Watling Street Primary School led an educational rival in the once troubled authority to come fourth in the country for its "added value" score.

The measure grades progress made by pupils in tests aged seven until they leave, aged 11.

Walsall - which saw its failing education authority taken over by Services firm Serco four years ago - rose 19 places up the ranking of LEAs.

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