It’s not just teenagers who have been taking exams this summer.

Pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school have also spent time in exam halls, with the Year 6 pupils tested on their ability in English and maths.

The standard attainment tests, better known as Sats, are taken over the course of a week and aim to ensure 10 and 11-year-olds have reached the expected level by the time they finish primary school.

And while the results aren’t as crucial to a pupil’s career prospects as GCSE or A-level grades, they are important in checking that children have a good educational foundation before taking the step to secondary school.

The Sats consist of six papers, three in English, including a spelling test, and three in maths.

Nationally, the proportion of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics was 64 per cent - up from 61pc the previous year.

Pupils in Barking and Dagenham outperformed the national average, with early figures showing 65pc met the expected standard.

The borough’s pupils performed best in grammar, punctuation and spelling, with 81pc meeting the expected standard, above the national average of 77pc.

In maths, the Barking and Dagenham figure was 78pc, while the national average was 75pc.

But in reading, the borough fell slightly short of the nationwide figure, with 74pc making the grade compared to the country’s average of 75pc.

The success was praised by Cllr Evelyn Carpenter, cabinet member for educational attainment and school improvement, who said: ““These results are another step in the right direction for the borough, and further proof that Barking and Dagenham is a place where children can learn and develop their abilities.

“I’d like to congratulate the pupils on their tremendous results but also thank teachers and staff in our schools who have worked tirelessly to help provide an environment that allows our young people to have the best educational start in their lives.”

This year’s results are the third after a more rigorous national curriculum was introduced, aiming to make the country’s primary education among the best in the world.