RESULTS have shown that the borough's primary schools are performing better than ever.

Provisional results show performance at key stage two (years three, four, five and six) improved for the third year in a row while 83 per cent of pupils achieved a level four or higher in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage two (age 11) – an increase of three per cent on the previous year.

For the year one (age five and six) phonics tests - where children are shown a series of 40 words and must correctly pronounce each one - pupils reaching the required level has risen from 72 per cent last year to 77 per cent in 2014.

Clr Jo Platt, Wigan Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This is a fantastic way to mark the start of the new school year. These figures show our primary school age children put in another brilliant performance last year achieving our best ever results."

The percentage of children achieving a 'good level of development' by the end of their reception year increased from 38 per cent in 2013 to 56 per cent in 2014.