SCHOOLS across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale have improved on last year, according to the Key Stage 2 league tables released today.

Lancashire County Council, which runs schools across the boroughs, has been ranked 47th in the country according to new figures - a slight improvement on last year.

The statistics revealed 79, 77 and 87 per cent of pupils met Government standards in English, maths and science respectively.

For English, it was a four per cent increase on last year, and a one per cent rise for maths. Only science remained static.

And pupils at one Pendle primary school were celebrating after it was named one of the country's best in the league tables.

Blacko Primary was in the Government's list of the best schools at taking 11-year-olds above minimum requirements - making them the top school in Pendle.

Mark Harrison, Year 5 and 6 teacher, said: "We are really pleased, the children have worked hard for it. But people know this is a good village school. They don't need a set of league tables to tell them that."

And he added: "I don't think children should be tested until they are 11 years old. It puts pressure on youngsters. We try to make it as fun as we can so the pupils don't feel the pressure of the tests."

Their achievement was one of several highlights for Lancashire County Council. St James' School, Clitheroe; St James', Haslingden, and St Mary's RC, Haslingden, were all named in the country's 200 most improved.

Acting headteacher of St Mary's, Elusia Szulc, said the school's position as one of the most improved had given everyone a lift. She said: "It's really fantastic news and down to the consistent hard work of dedicated staff and outstanding pupils.

"It gives everyone a lift to hear something like this. We're the sixth most improved in the country and in a deprived area, that's what we're chuffed about."

Laneshawbridge Primary School and Colne Christ Church made it into the top five per cent for value added, the statistic used to record how much a child has progressed since tests at seven years and the tests at 11.

It means that while many students may not hit the Government target, the effectiveness of a school in progressing a pupil is still recorded.

Laneshawbridge headteacher, Eileen Bleasdale, said: "We are thrilled. We have done well year-on-year but this is the best we have ever done.

"It's down to a lot of hard work and commitment from governors, staff, children and parents."

But it wasn't all good news.

Bacup's St Saviours Community Primary School finished in the bottom five per cent nationally for value added - but insisted the result did not accurately reflect the hard work going on in the school.

Head Andrea Cappelli explained: "As a school we recognise the test results do not reflect the good work and friendly environment that our school works hard to provide.

"All staff are involved in providing learning experiences and challenges for all our pupils. As a school we feel that St Saviours has much to be proud of."

Just two schools in East Lancashire recorded 100 per cent achievement for the Government's minimum standard in all three key subjects, the ultimate goal.

Nationally, results showed that some of the best primary schools in England were located in the poorest areas of the country.

Schools minister Stephen Twigg hailed the results for 11-year-olds, which showed improvements for maths and English, but he made no mention of the one point drop in science results.