PERFORMANCE of Bradford's primary school pupils in reading, writing and maths improved this year, but the district still remains one of the lowest performing in the country.

The percentage of Key Stage 2 children in Bradford achieving a Level 4 in the three Rs in the last academic year was 74 per cent, up from 73 per cent the previous year and 69 per cent in 2013.

But despite the improved figures, Bradford remains near the bottom of the national league tables - joint sixth from the bottom of 152 education authorities, tied with Peterborough.

The Yorkshire average is 77 per cent and the national average is 80 per cent.

Bradford Council is one of several now in the sights of Schools Minister Nick Gibb, who will write to education bosses at low performing authorities to demand an "urgent meeting" to explain how they intend to improve school performance.

The provisional Key Stage 2 figures, based on the attainment of 11-year-olds, were released by the Department for Education today.

They show that in Bradford, girls performed better than boys, with 77 per cent reaching a Level 4 last year, compared to 72 per cent of boys.

Mr Gibb said: "I will be writing to the Director of Children’s Services and Directors of Education of councils that are bottom of the league tables and asking that they meet me as a matter of urgency to explain how they intend to improve the teaching of reading and arithmetic in the primary schools under their control."

Michael Jameson, the Strategic Director Children’s Services at Bradford Council, said: "We know that for the district to achieve its ambition of every young person reaching their full potential and overall progress being at least in line with national levels we have to continue with our drive to raise standards as outlined in our education and school improvement strategy.

"We are continuing our focus on accelerating improvements by our continuous support and challenge to our schools."

In response to Mr Gibb's comments, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the council's executive member for education, said: "We're fully aware in Bradford that educational attainment needs to improve at a faster rate.

"Ofsted has undertaken a full inspection on the local authority and has confirmed our view of our results, and what's more endorsed the plan that we are implementing to improve standards rapidly.

"Ofsted also recognised our proactive work with national agencies and the Regional Schools Commissioner to get the right support into Bradford to make some of the improvements needed, so if the Minister is offering practical support then of course we welcome it."