TWO York primary schools are among the most improved in the country, new government tables reveal.

The news comes amid disappointment as the city's overall test scores suffered a setback.

English Martyrs and St Lawrence's primary schools were celebrating being among the UK's top five per cent improving schools.

They shone in Government league tables, which for the first time have a "value added" indicator, showing improvements in core subjects since 1999 - as opposed to raw test results. St Mary's Primary School, at Askham Richard, chalked up 100 per cent test results in maths, English and science - for the second time in three years.

However, City of York's Key Stage Two results for 11-year-olds dropped slightly on last year.

St Mary's head teacher Stephanie Windsor said: "We're highly delighted and very proud of the children - they've done incredibly well." She praised staff and parents for the team success, which also saw a 100 per cent clean sweep in 2001.

City of York Council said its 27 primaries were still making good progress, with above average showings in maths and English.

But overall results at Key Stage 2, level 4 or better - the benchmark for pupils - fell across York.

Education director Patrick Scott said: "We've made real progress since 1996. Whilst I'm disappointed with the fall in results this should not undermine hard work and effort of teachers and pupils."

York figures show at Level 4 and above, 73.7 per cent hit the maths target (compared to 76 per cent last year) and 75.3 per cent got English (78 per cent last year).

The council, now ranked 75th in the country, aims to have 88 per cent of pupils hitting English targets and 87 per cent maths by 2004.

North Yorkshire County Council said it was "very pleased" with its performance, leaving it ranked 13th out of 150.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, December 04, 2003