THE vast majority of primary schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire have hit tough new literacy and numeracy targets brought in this year.

Despite a total of 767 out of 15,000 English schools falling below the Government’s new ‘floor standards’ for primaries there were only a handful of primaries which fell into this category in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

All but one local authority in the region reached the national average of 75 per cent of English primary schools achieving the required literacy and numeracy levels. Primary schools had to ensure that at least 60 per cent of pupils reach Level 4 in reading, writing and mathematics.

The average primary school score in North Yorkshire fell back slightly from 75 per cent of pupils achieving the required literacy and numeracy level in 2012 to 73 per cent.

Elsewhere in the region every other local education authority improved on last year’s percentage of youngsters meeting the required target. Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland and Gateshead - all recording an 80 per cent success rate - had the highest proportion of youngsters meeting the target in the region.

Darlington, South Tyneside and North Tyneside all had 79 per cent of 11 year olds meeting the required level.

County Durham and Stockton were the joint third best performers with 78 per cent reaching the target.

Newcastle and Northumberland primary schools both achieved a success rate of 76 per cent.

A number of primary schools racked up 100 per cent scores in all three categories with all of their 11 year olds making expected progress in reading, writing and mathematics.

This group of high achievers included Layfield Primary School in Yarm.

The headteacher of Layfield, Helen Owen, said: “I am very, very proud of my pupils.”