THE rate of improvement at Bradford's primary schools was last night condemned as "painfully slow" as latest league tables showed they continue to be among the country's worst.

And the Council's children's services director, Michael Jameson, admitted the results posted by ten and 11-year-olds this year "fall considerably short" of where they need to be.

National performance league tables, based on Key Stage two exam results from past summer, show that Bradford is ranked 147th out of 152 authorities for reading, writing and maths, despite the fact that the percentage of pupils reaching expected standards rising is higher than last year's results.

In 2013 Bradford was joint third from bottom in the national table.

This year a total of 73 per cent of pupils in the district gained the expected Level Four grades, compared to the national average of 79 per cent. Last year a total of 69 per cent of pupils achieved that target.

The Government has this year set a tougher "floor standard" for schools - the numbers of pupils reaching Level Four in reading, writing and maths, as well as meeting progress goals.

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Last year that target was 60 per cent, and 22 Bradford schools failed to meet it. This year the target is higher, 65 per cent, but the number of schools under the floor level still fell, to 20 or 13 per cent of all primary schools.

If last year's standards still applied this year, the number of schools below floor standard would have been 14.

Mr Jameson said: "This latest data shows our district's Key Stage 2 results have improved across several key measures. So our schools are heading in the right direction.

"But we are resolutely determined that our schools rapidly accelerate these improvements, because the overall results fall considerably short of where they need to be.

"We have set extremely robust targets and we are providing our schools with strong challenge and support to achieve them.

"We are pushing for urgent improvements, with particular focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing and numeracy as these are the building blocks for a child's education.

"Alongside our challenge and support, it is vital that schools work closely in partnership with parents and carers to deliver the best educational experience for our young people. "Education is a key priority for the Council and we are doing everything in our powers to ensure schools achieve the highest possible standards without delay."

But Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, the Liberal Democrat group leader, said: "The improvements seem to be painfully slow.

"There doesn't seem to be any urgency, I'm sure teachers are working very hard, but poor results limit the life chances of so many children."

Councillor Debbie Davies, Conservative spokesman for education, said: "If we are making steady progress then that is positive.

"We have to make sure that our children are going to good primary schools, and then going to good secondary schools."

The district's best-performing school was Sacred Heart Primary School in Ilkley, while Holybrook Primary School in Eccleshill was the lowest-ranked school.

Alixena Lubomski, the head teacher at Sacred Heart, said: "A very strong partnership exists between our feeder parishes, home and school.

"Each element works tirelessly to ensure that all the children moving through the school experience an engaging and inspirational curriculum within a modern and well-resourced learning environment."

Duncan Grant, head at Holybrook, said: "We are in no doubt about the work that needs to be done.

"Since my starting at the school in late April the action plan that is needed to drive the school forward has been put in place.

"Parents and the community can be assured that the staff, governors and I are working hard to deliver it and are committed to success."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

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