Schoolchildren across Shropshire are bucking the trend with top-class success in primary school tests, it was revealed today.

Thousands of seven-year-olds in England are failing to make the grade in reading, writing and arithmetic after just three years of school. But figures for 2011 released by Schools Minister Nick Gibb show good results for youngsters in Telford & Wrekin, and exceptional figures for the rest of the county.

Some 87 per cent of pupils in Shropshire unitary authority area achieved Level 2 or above, the standard expected of the age group, in reading.

Some 84 per cent of seven year-olds achieved the same level in writing and 91 per cent in maths.

That is well above the national averages of 85 per cent in reading, 81 per cent in writing and 90 per cent in maths – placing the county at the top end of the attainment tables.

However, the results were not as good in Telford & Wrekin.

While some 81 per cent of pupils made the grade in writing, they fell just short by a percentage point each in both reading and maths, with 84 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively.

In the West Midlands in general, pupils made the national average in reading and writing, but fell a point under in maths.

Nationally, the teacher assessment scores revealed more than 83,000 seven-year-olds have a reading age no better than a five-year-old.

They showed almost 106,000 cannot write to the level expected, and more than 58,000 failed in maths.

Mr Gibb said: “These figures show that many children are doing well. But it is worrying that there are still so many who are behind just three years into their school careers.

“Problems must be identified at a young age and rectified before it is too late.

“That is why from next summer teachers will check how six-year-olds are reading, and will then be able to give extra help to those who need it so they become strong readers,” he added.

By London Reporter Sunita Patel