Third Of Pupils Struggle With 'Three Rs'

National, regional and local authority figures for the Key Stage 2 tests taken by thousands of pupils at the end of primary school were published today.

In all subjects - English, reading, writing and maths - the percentage of 11-year-olds reaching the expected level (Level 4) or above is up.

But today’s statistics also show that:

• One in three pupils fail to achieve the expected level in the three Rs combined (reading, writing and mathematics)
• There is still a worrying number of children performing at a very low level. One in 10 boys leave primary school with the reading age of a seven-year-old and one in 14 boys leave with the writing age of a seven-year-old
• The proportion of children achieving above the expected level has fallen in both reading and writing

The tests were taken by 554,000 11-year-olds in May this summer. Today’s figures break down the results to national, regional and local authority level.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “Thousands of children are doing very well, testament to their hard work and the professional skill of their teachers. The fact that more children are reaching the expected level in every subject is very welcome as is the significant increase in the proportion of children achieving well in writing.

“But a third of children are still struggling in the three Rs. There has been a decline in the proportion of children, both boys and girls, who can read and write beyond the expected level. And the results of our weakest readers and writers also remain a real concern.”

He added: “We are determined to raise standards of reading. There will always be some children for whom reading is a struggle. However, we can and must do much better for the one in 10 boys who at the age of eleven can read no better than a seven-year-old.

“We are ensuring more schools use the tried and tested reading mechanism of phonics. We're introducing a reading check for all children at the age of six to identify those that are struggling and ensuring they can be targeted.

“We are also introducing academies into the primary sector for the first time. The 200 worst performing primary schools will be taken over, by September next year, by those with a track record of success.”

(BMcN/GK)