A GENERATION of boffins is springing up in school science labs across Hampshire.

Countywide figures released today show both boys and girls have chalked up improved performances in science at crucial stages in their school days.

In total, 89.4 per cent of 11-year-olds reached level four or above at key stage two assessments, compared with 85 per cent last year and 77 per cent in 1998.

For 14-year-olds, the figure for those reaching level five or above in science rose from 63 per cent to 67.1 per cent.

Today, county education officer Andrew Seber told the Echo: "These results show continuing progress in the levels of attainment for Hampshire pupils across primary schools and secondary schools. They are a testament to all the hard work being done by teachers and pupils in schools across the county.

"Achievements in science are particularly noteworthy.

"The science results tend to receive less attention as, unlike English and mathematics, there are no national targets or programmes. Good work in science bodes well for the future."

Latest figures also show girls have already beaten national assessment targets aimed at improving English.

Across the county, 82.5 per cent of 11-year-old girls clocked up their level four or above in English during key stage two assessments.

The government target is for 80 per cent of pupils to make the grade by 2002.

Boys of the same age were not far behind, with almost three-quarters reaching the target level at 74.1 per cent.

Older pupils chalked up some impressive performances too, with 70.6 per cent of 14-year-olds achieving level five or above in maths at key stage three, while in English it was 68.8 per cent.

The trend for improvement also continued in younger classes, with 86 per cent of the county's seven-year-olds reaching achieving level two or above in reading at key stage one.

In the same age group, 88 per cent of youngsters reached the target in writing, while 92 per cent made the grade in maths - all up on last year. In spelling, the figure remained the same as in 1999, at 74 per cent.

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