EDUCATIONALISTS in the North are hailing the latest national curriculum results as the best ever, despite figures nationally that show four out of ten pupils could not read, write or add up properly when they left primary school this summer,

About 600,000 11-year-olds sat the key stage two tests this summer and while the results are getting better across the country as a whole, 166,500 pupils did not meet the expected standard in writing, 67,000 in reading, 105,000 in maths and 54,000 in science.

But that did not stop local authorities in the North celebrating their results.

That was the case in North Yorkshire, which is now ranked 15th out of 150 local education authorities in England, compared with last year's rating of 22nd, and top in the North-East.

Councillor John Watson, the county council's executive member for the children and young people's service, said: "This is a tremendous achievement and a great tribute to the effectiveness of North Yorkshire's education service, its schools and teachers, and the abilities of its children."

In County Durham, figures showed a significant improvement in most subjects.

In English, results were higher than the average improvement across the country.

The authority also remained ahead of the national average for maths and science, although the rest of England had narrowed the gap over the last year.

In reading, the scores were the same as the English average, while writing was just below the expected figure.

Meanwhile, in Sunderland, Lynda Brown, head of standards in the city council's children's services said there had been improvements across all subjects this year.

"Children are performing best in science, with 88 per cent achieving level four, which is the expected average for 11-year-olds nationally, and 45 per cent have achieved level five," she said.

"Maths results continue upwards and 76 per cent of young people achieved level four, a two per cent increase on last year.

"Most pleasing is a return to an upward trend in English, with 79 per cent at level Four up four per cent from 2006."

In Darlington, the borough council said the positive overall trend in results achieved by children in the town had continued at key stage two.

"Darlington schools have, in general, consolidated the gains made in recent years, which put the Borough at the forefront of our region," a spokesman said.

"The number of children gaining Level 5 in English is a particular highlight of this year's results."

Councillor Ian Jeffrey, cabinet minister for education at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was also happy.

"The results have exceeded the national average in all topics. There has been an improvement across the last two years and we hope that it continues," he said.

Meanwhile, Ann Baxter, corporate director for children, education and social care at Stockton Borough Council, said: "These results are a reflection of the hard work dedication and commitment of head teachers, teachers, school support staff, governors and parents and of course not forgetting the children themselves."