FEWER than half of East Lancashire secondary schools are making the grade in Key Stage 3, according to results for 2004 released today.

Only 16 of the area's 40 secondary schools are doing better than the national average of 71per cent for English, 73per cent for maths, and 66per cent for science.

It marks a slump in results for the region, compared to figures for 2003 when 21 schools managed better than the national average.

The KS3 tests are taken by pupils at 14 when they have been at secondary school for three years, and before they start two-year GCSE courses, or other vocational qualifications.

Education bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council stress that although schools across the borough had seen science results dip, the number achieving better than average results in maths and English had gone up.

In English, the borough's results have improved by twoper cent from last year, and in maths by oneper cent.

The dip in science results, the authority points out, is in line with the national trend.

Director of education Peter Morgan said: "I am delighted that the hard work and good practice that exists across the borough has enabled results in English and maths to improve once again. Naturally, I am disappointed that in science our results have not improved, and we will be examining the reasons for the fall, and expect to reverse this in future years."

Education bosses at Lancashire County Council stress overall its pupils are doing better than the national average.

The Department of Education and Skills champions the tests as a good indicator of how pupils will perform when they are assessed two years later.

It is only the second year in which parents can look at year-on-year results and establish just how well a particular school is performing.

Alan Whittaker, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for education, said he was delighted.

Pupils in the local authority area scored 72per cent for English (oneper cent above the average); 75per cent for maths (twoper cent above average); and 68per cent for science (twoper cent above average).

He said: "Year after year, Lancashire's secondary schools continue to achieve high standards in the Key Stage 3 results.We have great pupils across Lancashire who are dedicated to learning and doing well academically. These results are down to the quality of schools, and the teachers."

All schools in the Ribble Valley passed with flying colours - with Clitheroe Royal Grammar School achieving 99per cent pass rates in English, 98per cent in maths, and 98per cent in science.