NEW figures show that test and exam results in County Durham schools are continuing to improve.
The new statistic - which will be presented to Durham County Council's cabinet next week - show pupils' performance in Key Stage Two tests and in GCSE exams is getting better.
In Key Stage Two tests, which are taken by pupils aged 11, the percentage of pupils who reached the expected Level Four last year was 85 per cent - compared to the national average 85 per cent - and up from 80 per cent in 2010.
The same proportion of pupils reached the expected Level Four in maths last year - compared to the national average 84 per cent - which was up from 83 per cent in 2010.
The percentage of County Durham pupils who achieved five or more A* to C grades has increased consistently year-on-year from 60.2 per cent in 2007 to 90.4 per cent in 2012.
Nationally the figures have increased from 61.5 per cent in 2007 to 82.9 per cent in 2012.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here