Test results for 11-year-old pupils published today have shown an improvement in maths, that science remains stable and a slight dip in English for Nottingham pupils.

The figures for the Key Stage 2 Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) show results have gone up to 73% in mathematics which is a gain of 1% compared to last year. The results for science remain stable at 83%. The results for English have shown a slight dip of 1% to 72%. Across the country, results have gone up by one point in both mathematics and English to 78% in mathematics and to 81% in English. Results in science remain the same at 88%.

Commenting on the figures, Nottingham City Council says it is impossible to draw any firm conclusions about the results because of widely reported national problems with marking. The Department for Children, Schools and Families has indicated that the issues could affect marks in English by more than one percentage point. There are still some scripts to be returned to schools in Nottingham.

Councillor David Mellen, the Council's Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, said:

"City schools have worked very hard and have made steady improvements year on year over the past four or five years and there is no reason for us to believe these improvements have not been sustained. Ofsted inspections at our schools have all been very positive, which is evidence that we have sustained improvements and that our primary schools have continued to work hard to improve standards."

Councillor Mellen added:

"I would like to congratulate the pupils and their parents, our schools staff and governors for the continuing hard work at our primary schools."

The City Council can assure parents and pupils that there will be no impact on the transfer from primary to secondary schools because of the problems experienced nationally regarding marking. Primary schools, working with the City Council, had already transferred information such as reports and teacher assessments to secondary schools for their new pupils to make sure the transition to the new school is as smooth as possible.