Education Secretary comments on Key Stage 2 results

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 

“It's brilliant to see more children building the strong foundations in reading, writing and maths that will set them on a path to future success. It's a testament to the hard work of teachers across the country who have tirelessly supported pupils to prepare for the assessments earlier this year.

“Yet despite our brilliant teachers, we still have over a third of children leaving school below the expected standard in one or more of these critical subjects, with writing in particular continuing to lag below pre-pandemic levels. 

“Strong writing skills are vital for everyday life and work, which is why we're publishing the first writing framework for primary schools, building on wider work to drive up standards including significant investment in reading and writing, the Curriculum and Assessment Review and our regional improvement teams - all ahead of an ambitious schools white paper to drive up attainment for disadvantaged children and those with SEND, and deliver on our Plan for Change.”

Background: 

• The latest end of Key Stage 2 headline statistics show the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in writing remains below pre-pandemic levels and is not increasing at the same rate as reading and maths.  Key stage 2 attainment: National headlines, Academic year 2024/25 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

• This data is derived from the results of end of KS2 tests (SATs) in English reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling taken by year 6 pupils in May, and teacher assessments of English writing and science conducted in the summer term. 

• Results come as the department will publish its writing framework today (8 July) which for the first time will give teachers the tools and guidance to plan high quality lessons and teach writing from reception and throughout primary school, so that thousands more pupils can build strong foundations in language, spelling and handwriting.

• New research shows children who have a stronger grasp on reading and writing by the end of primary school can earn up to £65,000 more than their peers over their lifetime.  Key Stage 2 attainment and lifetime earnings - July 2025 

• The Education Secretary announced yesterday there will be a National Year of Reading from January 2026, which will bring together parents, schools, libraries, businesses and literacy experts to get more kids reading, ensuring all children get the best start in life. Parents urged to read more to boost children's life chances - GOV.UK 

• The National Year of Reading and the writing framework builds on the government's driving mission to break the link between a child's background and what they go on to achieve and comes as the Education Secretary sets out her vision for ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life and starts school ready to learn including by boosting early literacy skills through the expansion of the government's network of English Hubs.