PRIMARY schools in Malvern and Ledbury will continue to receive support to ensure children are given the best start in life.

The annual report from education watchdog Ofsted revealed some establishments had fallen below the government’s new tougher standards for children aged seven to 11 (Key Stage 2).

They were judged on the number of children achieving at least a Level 4 – the standard expected of the age group – in reading, writing and maths, with at least 60 per cent required to reach that level.

Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for children and families, feels the county’s schools are making significant progress but more will be done to continue the improvement.

Coun Eyre said: “Worcestershire’s schools should be very proud of this, especially considering that we are one of the lowest funded authorities in the country.

“However, we are never complacent and continue to support schools to make sure that our children have the opportunity to achieve to the best of their ability.”

Both Great Malvern Primary School and Bosbury CE Primary School, near Ledbury, fell below the required standard – achieving 56 per cent and 55 per cent respectively.

However, the headteachers of both schools declined to comment.

A number of high achieving schools scored 100 per cent in the level most children in the age group are expected to reach. One of the high achievers to score a perfect score in this category was the Wyche CE Primary School in Malvern.

Headteacher Geoff Rutherford said: “To succeed in any area of life is deeply satisfying and we are of course delighted with our results this year.

“However, those who seek to analyse school data must appreciate the narrow nature of this assessment.”

Chloe Evans, headtacher of Pencombe CE Primary School, near Bromyard, said they were “very pleased”

with their results and several pupils were put forward and achieved level five.

A total of 767 schools nationally fell below the floor standard for Level 4. In previous years, schools were rated on reading and writing combined to form an overall English result and maths, as well as assessing their progress.