THERE is good and bad news for parents of primary school children in the North-East today with the release of the annual league tables.

On the surface, primary schools across the region have scored their best ever English and maths results, with the science score remaining high.

Average English and maths grades improved by one per cent, taking them to 79 per cent and 75 per cent, and science remains at 86 per cent.

However, some Local Education Authorities (LEAs) are struggling to get their pupils to achieve the Government standard of level four in the three subjects and are battling against truancy.

The Primary School Achievement and Attainment Tables were produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The findings are based on the Standard Assessment Tests (Sats) taken in English, maths and science by seven to 11-year-olds.

The results show North Yorkshire is the most successful LEA in the North and is 24th out of 150 authorities.

Stockton follows at 33th, with Durham 54th and Hartlepool at 63rd.

One primary school that is celebrating its success today is High Coniscliffe, near Darlington.

Not only was it named as one of the best 200 primary schools in the country for its high performance, all of the pupils who took this year's Sats achieved at least a level four in all three subjects.

The Darlington LEA ranks the school best in its own table - a position it has retained from last year.

Headteacher Tom Lumley said: "The school is delighted about the success of the pupils.

"We have very high expectations of what our pupils can achieve, but we encourage them to do well while surrounded by a fun environment.

"The children have performed consistently well over the last seven or eight years and the staff know them all very well too."

Eldon Lane Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, is also pleased with today's tables. It has been recognised as one of the most improved schools in the country.

In 2002, the aggregate score for pupils' English, maths and science tests was 207. Over the past three years, that figure has risen to 285 - an increase of 78.

Darlington borough councillor Chris McEwan, said: "We are still performing above the national average at Key Stage Two and I would like to congratulate all the staff, pupils and parents for their hard work over the last year. We will continue to build on this achievement to ensure all children in Darlington receive the best education possible."

However, it is not all good news for parents in the region, as it has also featured in the tables showing the worst performing schools and those that have struggled to tackle truancy levels.

Corporation Road Community Primary School, in Darlington, was listed in the truancy table showing the bottom 200 schools in the country. The table shows 3.1 per cent of half days were missed by pupils due to unauthorised absence.

Firthmoor Primary School, also in Darlington, featured in the bottom 200 schools for performance.