New league tables based on national tests taken by 14-year-olds in 2006 show that in 29 Yorkshire secondary schools more than half the year group were below the expected standard in English.

At some of the county's poorest performing schools, as many as two-thirds of the pupils who took the tests fell short in English, a figure twice the national average.

The league tables released today are based on tests in English, maths and science taken by students before they went on to begin their GCSE studies last September.

Across Yorkshire, English results fell but there were rises in maths and science, following national patterns.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "We are never complacent about test results but this shows that more young people than ever get a good foundation in the core subjects by the time they are 14.

"It gives them a vital launch pad to get strong results at GCSE, increase take-up at A-level, and ultimately equip them for life beyond the school gates and university.

"But we want to see even more young people master the basics and that's why we are determined to further drive up these results."

Mr Knight said the Government's focus on encouraging schools to tailor their teaching better to the needs of individual pupils would help improve standards further and narrow differences between boys and girls.

The new figures confirm that schools are continuing to struggle to help boys match the performance of girls, particularly in English. In Barnsley, 73 per cent of girls reached the expected standard compared to just 53 per cent of boys.

Across the country, 90 per cent of schools now have more than half their 14-year-olds reaching the expected standard – known as level five – in English, maths and science. In Yorkshire, about one in seven schools have still not reached that target.

Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "Level five is the minimum that 14-year-olds need to be able to benefit from secondary education."

He was "alarmed" by the figures, also that in 10 per cent of secondary schools fewer than half the pupils reached the level.

"A thorough grasp of reading and writing is essential for success in later life. The fact we are still concerned about the literacy levels of 14-year-olds is a sad indictment of educational standards in this country."

In Bradford, where results have historically been poor, one-in-three schools had a pass rate below 50 per cent in at least one of the three subjects.

John Gaskin, managing director of Education Bradford, the private firm which runs the district's schools, said that overall the city was closing the gap on national averages.

But he admitted there was still work to be done, particularly in English, and revealed it was likely more specialist consultants in English teaching would be deployed.

"We have analysed the reasons for the good maths results at Key Stage 3 in 2006 and are working with schools to replicate this success in science and English."

In all, 19 Yorkshire schools feature among the worst 200 in the country in today's tables although that is an improvement on previous years.

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