RESULTS of national school tests for 14-year-olds show that Bolton teenagers are lagging behind.

The number of 14-year-old pupils achieving the required standard in the 2005 national Key Stage 3 tests in English, maths and science is in the bottom half of a North-west league table and below the national average.

The tests are designed to measure pupils' attainment against the levels set for the National Curriculum.

In English, Bolton was sixth from the bottom in the 22 local education authorities making up the North-west.

Only 68 per cent of pupils achieved level five or above in the national exams, compared to the North-west average of 73 and the national average of 74 per cent. But it was an improvement on last years percentage pass rate of 66 per cent.

The borough's schools fared better in maths and science, but again were in the bottom half of the table and failed to meet both the national and North-west averages.

In maths, 70 per cent of teenagers achieved the level five standard or above - a fall of one per cent on last year - compared to the 73 per cent regionally and 74 per cent nationally.

In science, the percentage was 65 per cent, three points behind the North-west average of 68 per cent and five points behind the national average of 70 per cent. The pass rate was an improvement of three per cent compared to 2004.

In maths and science, Bolton was ninth and joint eight from bottom respectively.

Out of the 10 Greater Manchester education authorities, Bolton ranks fifth in maths and science, and second worst in English.

A further breakdown of the results reflects the national picture of girls doing better than boys.

Apart from science, where both sexes achieved identical results, girls outshone the boys.

In English, 15 per cent more girls achieved the required standard, and in maths 72 per cent of girls reached the grade compared to 68 per cent of boys.

Bury was one of the best performing education authorities in the North-west, coming joint second in maths, where 78 per cent of pupils achieved the grade, and fourth in science, with a 73 per cent pass rate.

In English, Bury ranked seventh with 76 per cent of pupils reaching the standard.

Neither Bolton nor Bury education authorities chose to comment on the figures.