Third of 11-year-olds fail to meet standards in core subjects

The tests sat by final year primary school pupils show just 67 per cent achieved the expected Level 4 standard in the three Rs.

This is two per cent up on the previous year, but the high proportion of those failing to meet the standard is "still a concern", according to schools minister Nick Gibb.

Government measures Gibb hopes will improve attainment levels of primary school children include a greater focus on phonics, the creation of academies in the primary sector and a reading check for all six-year-olds to target those who are struggling.
 
He added: "It is also critical that children read for pleasure. All primary school children should have a reading book on the go at home. Evidence from around the world indicates that the more a child reads, the better their attainment in all subjects, not just reading, will be."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers backed his call for a focus on reading for pleasure, but warned against being too prescriptive in how reading is taught.

She said: "Teachers need the professional freedom to approach the teaching of reading as is appropriate."

She also questioned whether making a school an academy will improve pupil performance.

The latest figures also show that one in 10 boys leaves primary school with a reading age of a seven-year-old. One in 14 boys leaves with a writing age at this level.

The Key Stage 2 tests were taken by just over 500,000 11-year-olds. The percentage of pupils reaching Level 5 fell in reading by eight per cent and in writing by one per cent.

Among the best performing local authority areas, in terms of pupils achieving at least Level 4 in both English and maths, are Richmind upon Thames, Trafford, Sutton and Cheshire East. Among the worst performing are the Isle of Wight, Medway and Middlesbrough.

The most improved areas in terms of English and maths results are East Riding of Yorkshire and Hackney.

A spokeswoman for the National Association of Head Teachers warned that the Key Stage 2 tests are only a snapshot and "do not show the progress that children have made within a school".