Performance in key stage two SATS has increased across all subjects, newly published figures show.

Primary league tables show that 79 per cent of pupils reached the expected level in all of reading, writing and mathematics this year, against 75 per cent in 2013.

The largest increases in results came in reading and spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) though results were also up in maths, science and writing.

Achievement gaps have also narrowed between disadvantaged children – defined as looked after children, or those who have been for free school meals (FSM) in the last six years – and other pupils.

In total, 67 per cent of disadvantaged pupils achieved at least level 4 in all of reading, writing and mathematics, versus 83 per cent for other pupils – a one percentage point gap reduction over last year.

Girls continued to be more likely than boys to achieve level 4 in reading and SPAG tests, with no difference between the sexes for maths.

Welcoming the results, Schools Minister David Laws said: “I am pleased to see that primaries have responded to the challenge of a higher floor standard – we have raised the bar and schools have raised their game.

“It is also encouraging to see the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers continue to narrow and parents, teachers and pupils deserve to be congratulated for their efforts.

“But we know there is more to do and there are still too many areas with simply unacceptable levels of attainment for disadvantaged pupils.”

Results for all subjects are as follows:

Although overall percentages remain the same in maths and science, then number of children achieving level 5 or higher increased – revealing an improvement among higher-achieving pupils.

A total of 768 schools did not reach the government’s floor standard for attainment – now set at 65 per cent of pupils achieving level 4 in reading and writing tests and teacher assessment of writing. That figure is in line with last year, despite the bar being raised.

The Department for Education said that, had the floor standard not been increased from 60 per cent to 65 per cent achieving expected levels, only 469 schools would have been below the threshold

The floor target is set to increase further in future, with 85 per cent of pupils required to reach the equivalent of the higher level of 4b in reading, writing and maths from 2016.