AS the government comes in for widespread criticism over the disappointing results of 11-year-olds in their SAT exams, Suffolk education chiefs are highlighting the success of our county's pupils.

AS the government comes in for widespread criticism over the disappointing results of 11-year-olds in their SAT exams, Suffolk education chiefs are highlighting the success of our county's pupils.

Nationally, the Government has missed its primary school Maths and English targets for the second year running with the average pass rate for English standing at 75pc and the pass rate for maths at just 73pc.

There is, however, cause for hope in Suffolk as there were increases in the number of pupils reaching the recommended standard in all but one subject.

Suffolk's results showed a 1pc increase in English, taking the scores up to 75pc – the same as the national average.

In Science Suffolk pupils recorded a 1pc increase on last year, with 86pc of pupils reaching the required standard, bringing them in line with the national average.

Results for Maths were more concerning. Only 69pc of Suffolk pupils made the grade compared to the national average of 72pc.

A spokesman for Suffolk county council said: "It must be stressed that these figures are only provisional as many schools have still to appeal against certain results.

"Generally, the results are encouraging. It is a little disappointing that we are behind the national average in Maths but we have retained the same percentage as last year, where nationally the figures are slipping."

The Government admitted that the proportion of 11-year-olds who reached its required standard in maths this year went down in six out of ten local education authorities.

Tony Lewis, a member of Suffolk County Council's executive committee with responsibility for children and young people, said: "Teachers and pupils in Suffolk have worked very hard for these improvements and I would like to congratulate them on their efforts.

"A lot of hard work has gone into making sure that our young people have the core skills they need to succeed in later education and these results show that we are making progress in these areas.

"We will of course continue to target our experts at those areas where we would like to see more improvements."