THERE is good and bad news for parents of primary school children in the North-East today with the release of the annual league tables.

On the surface, primary schools across the region have scored their best ever English and maths results, with the science score remaining high.

Average English and maths improved by one per cent, taking them to 79 per cent and 75 per cent, and science remains at 86 per cent.

However, some Local Education Authorities (LEAs) are struggling to get their pupils to achieve the Government standard of level four in the three subjects and are battling against truancy.

The Primary School Achievement and Attainment Tables were produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The findings are based on the Standard Assessment Tests (Sats), in English, maths and science taken by seven to 11-year-olds.

The results show North Yorkshire is the most successful LEA from the North and is ranked 24 out of 150 authorities.

Stockton LEA follows at 33, with Hartlepool at 63 and Redcar and Cleveland at 74.

However, it is a different matter for other LEAs in the North-East that are not performing as well, including Middlesbrough at 123.

Despite that, staff and pupils at Lingfield Primary School, in Middlesbrough, still have much to be pleased about.

The DfES named it as one of the top 200 in the country for pupils achieving level five in English, maths and science, which is above-target.

Headteacher Tom Richards said: "We would like to think we are high performing. We are an inclusive school that looks at a pupil as a whole. Although core subjects like English, maths and science are important, it is also important for schools to teach personal and social education. Without this, the children would not perform as well at the more academic subjects."

A number of schools in Teesside achieved 100 per cent in all areas, with all their pupils taking Sats getting at least a level four in English, maths and science.

They included Chandlers Ridge, in Middlesbrough, Kirklevington, in Yarm, The Links Primary School and St Francis of Assisi Church of England, both in Stockton.

Brambles Primary School, in Middlesbrough, featured on a different table - one that showed the bottom 200 schools nationally for truancy. Two of Teesside's schools were also listed in the table showing the bottom 200 in the country for achievement.

They were Owton Manor Primary School, Hartlepool, and Grangetown Primary, in Middlesbrough, which is part of Redcar and Cleveland LEA.

Hartlepool LEA has ranked West Park Primary as its number one, after it achieved 100 per cent in English and science and 98 per cent for maths.

Redcar and Cleveland LEA has ranked St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary as its top school, after it achieved 96 per cent for English, 96 per cent for maths and 100 per cent for science.

In Stockton, The Links Primary School tops its LEA table, with 100 per cent in all three subjects.