HAMPSHIRE pupils continue to make the grade when it comes to national exams and are still improving, according to this year's record-breaking results.
The county hit its highest ever achievement rate in this summer's Key Stage 3 Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) for 14-year-olds, and bettered last year's results in all three core subjects.
Three-quarters of pupils achieved a level 5 grade in science and mathematics, while 73 per cent achieved the grade in English.
And Hampshire's youngsters also excelled at the Level 6 tests, with an eight per cent improvement on last year in science, while a respectable 37 per cent made the grade in English and mathematics.
Hampshire's portoflio holder for education, Don Allen, was delighted at the results and said it was very encouraging to see standards improving. He said: "I congratulate all the pupils in the county who sat the tests on their personal achievements and their parents, schools and governors for their dedication and commitment."
But while results remain good overall, there was a slight fall in the number of seven-year-olds passing their English Key 2 SATs.
This year only 85 per cent passed their writing exams compared with 87 per cent in 2002, although this figure was mirrored throughout the country.
Council chiefs blamed the fall on an alteration to the format of the exam and said the change would prove to be beneficial in the long term, as pupils would be required to demonstrate a wider range of skills.
But aside from the odd blip the news remains good, and many of Hampshire's pupils are performing well above their age range.
Nearly half of Key Stage 2 pupils reached Level 5 or above in science and 30 per cent achieved a similar feat in mathematics. In English, however, the figure fell from 32 to 27 per cent.
Hampshire's success has been reflected all over the country, with many counties breaking their previous records.