The tables combine results for tests in English, maths and science taken by children aged 7 to 11.

Across England only Hackney in north London had lower overall scores.

But the city council said it had many good schools and those which were underperforming were being given extra help and resources.

Action plan

It also pointed to their results in the "value-added" table - which looks at how well children are brought on in school - which rates the city far higher.

A city council spokesman said: "Leicester City continues to add value to children�s education so that they make better progress between the ages of 7 and 11.

"Tables published today place Leicester in the middle 50% of authorities for this measure. Value-added scores show how schools ensure that children make the progress of which they are capable.

"However the overall standards for English, mathematics and science place the authority 148 out 150 authorities nationally.

"This is a key reason why the local authority is working collaboratively with the Department for Communities, Schools and Families (DCSF) to draw up and deliver an action plan to address the issues of underachievement in the city."

The National Union of Teachers also backed the schools, saying children in the city tended to be well below the national average for these skills when they entered the system.