City students shone in English and science according to test results released this week.

But Key Stage 2 results for 11-year-olds in Brighton and Hove showed a decline in maths.

Figures show 74 per cent of pupils gained the level expected for their age in English, a one per cent rise on last year, and 85 per cent did the same in science.

Maths figures showed a drop from 71 to 68 per cent but there were big rises at individual schools including Moulsecoomb primary, Rudyard Kipling primary and West Blatchington junior.

Cabinet education councillor Frieda Warman-Brown said: "The results are very encouraging and consolidate the four-year upward trend in improving standards in core subjects.

"Our slight decrease in maths was predictable as we had a significant five per cent increase last year and figures are in line with the national picture.

"There are some schools making excellent progress in maths, reflecting the hard work of teachers, intensive support provided by the education service and a maths campaign which is continuing this year."

Improvements in all three subjects were recorded at St Mark's Primary School in Whitehawk while pupils at St Bartholomew's Primary School in Brighton did well in English and maths.

Key Stage 3 results for 14-year-olds have also shown good improvement, making Brighton and Hove the best of 17 education authorities involved in a Government pilot scheme.