Figures show Norfolk is still well below the national average for the number of 11-year-olds achieving the required levels in the core subjects, English and maths.

Figures show Norfolk is still well below the national average for the number of 11-year-olds achieving the required levels in the core subjects, English and maths.

Latest figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, show how each county has fared in National Curriculum assessments, known as SATs, taken by both 11-year-olds (key stage two), and 14-year-olds (key stage three).

Across the eastern region, Cambridge came out on top beating the national averages.

At key stage two in Norfolk scored below the national average in English and maths. At key stage three they fared better, beating the national average in science and maths.

In August the provisional results for the key stage two tests revealed almost half of 11-year-olds in Norfolk are leaving primary school without grasping the finer points of the three Rs.

Just 56pc of pupils reached Level 4, the standard required of the age group in reading, writing and arithmetic, markedly below the national average of 61pc.

In the latest figures, Suffolk's attainment for key stage two also remained low and was below national average, although a spokeswoman said this was being addressed.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council said: “Many schools have done well. However, achievement at Key Stage 2 (for 11-year-olds) remains low for Suffolk.

“We remain committed to the School Organisation Review, which identified performance at Key Stage 2 as a key issue. We need to raise standards in all our schools if every child and young person in Suffolk is going to fulfil their potential. We recognise the good practice in many of our schools currently and are sharing this more widely.”

Nationally, almost 13,000 teenagers are failing to reach the standard expected of them according to the figures.

Schools secretary Ed Balls abolished SATS in English, maths and science for 14-year-olds last autumn after a marking fiasco which left more than a million schoolchildren waiting for results.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker however praised the hard work of pupils and teachers.

He said: “It's clear to see the standards in our schools have been transformed over the last decade.

“Test results show that thousands more children are getting the firm foundations they need in English, maths and science than in 1997.”

Norfolk County Council were not available for comment.