RESULTS TREND Tables of results

There was a rise of one percentage point from last year in the science test results, to 87% - the same level as two years ago.

There have been improvements in the results achieved by 14 year olds - up three points in maths and one point in English, science and ICT.

The figures are the results of this year's national curriculum tests - often referred to as Sats - taken in May by children at the ages of seven, 11 and 14.

Decline in writing

In the tests taken by seven year olds the percentage achieving at least the expected basic level showed no change in maths or reading but a fall of five points in writing.

MANDATORY TESTING In England tests are taken at ages 7, 11 and 14 Different tests around the UK

The test results for the 11 year olds are particularly crucial as they form the basis of their schools' positions in the annual performance tables, published at the end of the year.

The government wants 85% of 11 year olds to reach the levels expected for their age in English and maths by 2004, targets which are looking increasingly unreachable.

If the results have indeed reached a plateau, teachers' calls to have the targets dropped will be strengthened.

'World class'

The School Standards Minister, David Miliband, congratulated teachers and pupils for "maintaining their record-breaking performance".

"As recent international studies have shown our test results are among the very best in the world and we should be extremely proud of this," he said.

"There has been a step change in primary results since 1997. Everyone would like to see faster progress for those 11 year olds not currently reaching the expected standard, but I am confident that the measures in place to raise primary school standards further are the right approach."

He said proposals published earlier this year would give schools "the flexibility to be innovative".

Schools would be urged to take a fresh look at their curriculum, their timetable and the way they organised the school day and week, "and think about how they would like to develop and enrich the experience they offer their children".

Mr Miliband said the results achieved by 14 year olds showed that the government's secondary school reforms were having "a significant impact".

Pressure

Head teachers have always felt the targets for primary schools were too ambitious.

For some the pressure proved too much, with stories of head teachers caught "fiddling" pupils' test papers.

Critics say pupils are tested too much and primary school teachers complain that other subjects such as art and music are squeezed out of the school day by the concentration on English and maths.

The Shadow Education Secretary, Damian Green, said the targets should be abolished.

"Tests are valuable to provide information to parents. But the government insists on creating arbitrary national targets which distort teaching priorities and do nothing to improve standards in schools," said Mr Green.