PUPILS in Devon?s primary schools are continuing to achieve more highly than their national and regional competitors, according to new Government figures. Devon schools recorded results above the national and regional averages in English, maths and science based on an analysis of this year?s Key Stage 2 SATs tests carried out by the Department for Education and Skills. Children in Devon schools are also achieving more highly than their neighbours in Somerset, Cornwall, Plymouth and Torbay. Devon?s executive councillor for children?s services, John Smith, this week welcomed the improvements which show the county rising up the national rankings. ?Devon was 55th out of 150 LEAs in last year?s Key Stage 2 SATs,? said Mr Smith. ?This year the DfES figures show us joint 46th out of 150 LEAs. ?Yet the DfES calculate that we are 129th out of 150 LEAs for our spending on each pupil. ?That means our pupils and our teachers and school staff are achieving higher than average results with lower than average resources and improving those results year on year. ?I can only commend their hard work and dedication.? The results of the tests, which pupils sit at 11-years-old, show Devon schools one point ahead of the national figures for English and maths and two points ahead in science. The percentage gaining the expected Level 4 or above in English was 80 per cent in Devon compared to 79 per cent nationally and regionally. Devon?s figure is up two per cent from last year ? double the national increase. The percentage gaining Level 4 in maths was 76 per cent in Devon compared to 75 per cent nationally and regionally. And in science, Devon schools were two points ahead of the national figure and one point ahead of the regional figure with 88 per cent gaining Level 4 or above.