Primary schools in Hackney have scored top marks in crucial national exams in maths and English for 11-year-olds.

They placed high on the Department of Education league table for Key Stage 2 exams, with 93 per cent of pupils making expected progress in English and 90 in maths, well above the national average of 89 and 87 per cent.

Most schools posted better results than last year, with St Matthias Church of England Primary School in Wordsworth Road, Stoke Newington making a spectacular leap from 37 per cent of pupils passing exams in 2011, to 83 per cent this year.

Orchard Primary School in Holcroft Road, South Hackney was a top performer in the borough, and saw 98 per cent of its youngsters celebrating success in the milestone exam.

Cllr Rita Krishna, Hackney Council cabinet member for children’s services said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of Hackney’s students. The year on year improvement is testament to the hard work of pupils and teachers and the council is working closely with schools to support continued success.”

Despite the overall good performance, several schools saw a dramatic drop in results, with Lauriston School in Rutland Road, Victoria Park, going from 97 per cent of pupils progressing to level 4 in 2011 to just over 60 per cent this year. However, the lowest performing was Morningside Primary School in Chatham Place, Hackney with just 57 per cent of pupils passing key tests in maths and English.

The Department of Education introduced tougher new targets for primary schools last year, meaning that those not meeting high standards now face similar consequences as secondary schools.

Primaries where fewer than 60 per cent of pupils achieve at least level 4 in English and maths combined, and which are below the national average on progress measures for both subjects, are now deemed to be failing, and may be forced to convert into academies.

A Department for Education spokesman said:” This Government brought in higher primary school floor targets with one aim in mind – to drive up standards with immediate effect to end years of chronic underperformance.

“Schools with a long history of underperformance, and who are not stepping up to the mark, face being taken over by an Academy sponsor.”