Medway primary schools are falling below the national average in SATs results, according to official league tables published today.

Pupils are assessed in reading, writing, and maths and expected to reach a Level 4 standard in all, but the data from the Department of Education shows that pupils are achieving below the national average at all levels.

Level 4 is the government’s benchmark of achievement and the national figure is 79% but in Medway 75% of children reached this.

The league tables are released just a day after a report from Ofsted saw Medway primary schools ranked as the worst in the country.

At All Faiths Children’s Academy, Strood 100% of their pupils achieved a Level 4, and at 100% of pupils at Chattenden Primary School, Chattenden achieved a “good” Level 4 score, a Level 4B. Medway had 62% of achieving a Level 4B, compared to 67% nationally.

Chattenden Primary School's Principal, Tim Muggridge, said: "We at Chattenden have the ethos of 'success no matter what’ – which means that we give every child the maximum opportunity to reach and often exceed their potential.

"Both the children, parents staff and governors work closely to strive for the very best education that we can deliver and this is highlighted in our outstanding SATs outcomes."

Less than one fifth - 19% - secured Level 5, the higher level of achievement less than the national average of 24%. Horsted Junior School, Chatham had the most pupils in Medway (44%) achieving a Level 5.

In Medway, 8% of pupils achieve less than the expected standard, a Level 3 or below, more than the national figure of 6%.

Although Medway schools are falling below the national average, they are beating the government set target of ensuring 60% of pupils achieve Level 4 or above in reading, writing, and maths.

The SATs are designed to indicate whether children can spell properly, start to use grammatically complex sentences and employ joined up handwriting in English. In maths they are able to multiply and divide whole numbers by 10 or 100 and use simple fractions and percentages.

Kent schools are performing in line with the national averages, with 79% achieving Level 4, 68% a Level 4B and 25% a Level 5.