Attainment in Numeracy, Welsh Reading and English Reading has
improved in 2023/24, new statistics show.
English Reading saw attainment levels improve across all year
groups compared to 2022/23. Learners in Year 3 showed sustained
improvement with levels in English Reading being higher than in
both 2020/2021 and 2021/22. Welsh Reading presented some
improvement across Years 3 to 9, compared to 2022/23. Younger
years have shown the greatest degree of improvement in Numeracy
(Procedural), whilst Numeracy (Reasoning) has remained relatively
stable. These statistics were published today using anonymised
data from the national personalised assessments.
Personalised assessments are adaptive online assessments in four
subjects taken by all learners in Years 2 to 9 in maintained
schools. They aim to support learning by providing information on
the reading and numeracy skills of individual learners. They
highlight where learners are making progress, as well as which
skills could be developed further.
Cabinet Secretary for Education said: “It is encouraging to
see progress in attainment in reading and numeracy. This
improvement highlights the impact our investments are making in
schools to ensure every learner has the opportunity to reach
their full potential. These assessments help to support all our
learners in their educational journey by providing a valuable
insight into their strengths and emerging skills.
“I would also like to thank our teachers and the education
workforce for their hard work and dedication in supporting our
learners and for their continued commitment and professionalism
in responding to our national priorities.”
Headteacher Trystan Phillips at Ysgol Gymunedol Penparc in
Ceredigion said: “We have evolved in our use of the Personalised
Assessments to move away from their use as a summative resource
to being a resource that truly influences progress. The use
of the different group reports have been invaluable in not only
recognising strengths and areas to improve for year groups but
also showing examples and exercises that can be used.
They're very much now a device to support pupil progress”.
Estyn's Chief Inspector, Owen Evans said: “Personalised
assessments are a useful tool for schools. They enable teachers
to tailor support for individual pupils and track progress over
time. We are pleased to see some improvement, but schools need to
work together to support attainment, and ensure there is a
relentless focus on improving reading and mathematics for all
learners. Estyn will continue to work to support schools, and
urge leaders to use resources, such as our recent thematic review
‘Unlocking potential: Insights into improving teaching and
leadership in mathematics education' to help improve teaching and
learning.”
Notes to editors
-
Patterns of attainment
in reading and numeracy: September 2018 to August 2024 |
GOV.WALES
-
Reading and numeracy
assessments - Hwb
- The Welsh Reading assessment is taken by learners in Years 2
to 9 whose learning is through the medium of Welsh.
- The English Reading assessment is taken annually by learners
in Years 2 to 9 whose learning is through the medium of English.
For learners whose learning is through the medium of Welsh, the
English Reading personalised assessment is optional in Years 2
and 3 and mandatory in Years 4 to 9.
- The Numeracy assessment is taken in two parts. The Numeracy
(Procedural) and the Numeracy (Reasoning) assessments are both
taken annually by all learners in Years 2 to 9.
