Primary schools in Oxford are catching up with county schools because pupils are starting to enjoy the benefits of the scrapping of the three-tier system in 1999.

That's the view of council leader Keith Mitchell, after Key Stage Two results for 2007 were made available earlier this week.

Mr Mitchell said the major reorganisation of education in the city, which saw the abolition of the city's middle schools, was now leading to improved results.

He said: "I'm not surprised that city schools are catching up with their counterparts in the county in terms of results.

"Several years ago, the schools in the city got a lot of new buildings in the process.

"It may have been disruptive initially, but I think improved results are starting to come through."

One of the best performing schools in the city was SS Philip and James School in Navigation Way, North Oxford.

The school came ninth out of more than 200 across the county in terms of pupils achieving Level Four in each subject.

Assistant headteacher Kate Hanlon said: "We are proud that children have worked so hard and are so committed."