Statement from Education Secretary, , in response to the
publication of the 2025/26 key stage 2 attainment: National
headlines statistics.
Education Secretary, , said:
"Congratulations to every pupil, teacher and family who has
worked so hard towards these assessments you should be enormously
proud.
I know the delay in results which Pearson rightly apologised for
has caused frustration, but the real and sustained progress we
are now seeing in pupil's achievements deserves to be
celebrated.
That is testament to the dedication of teachers, leaders and
support staff. This government is backing families and backing
schools in delivering our mission to truly break the link between
where a child grows up, and what they go on to achieve.
Briefing points
- Today, the latest Key Stage 2
headline national statistics have been released by
the Department for Education.
- This data is based on the 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.
- The results show a noticeable improvement in
year-on-year results, with 63% of
pupils meeting the expected standard in
reading, writing and maths (combined), up from 62% in 2025, a 1.1
percentage point increase.
- The number of students meeting the expected
standard in reading has remained the
same, while there
have been increases across maths,
writing, and
spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well
as an increase in those meeting the
higher standard in maths.
- The steady, positive increase in the number
of students meeting and exceeding
the expected standard is reflective of this government's commitment to driving high
and rising standards to ensure that every child,
regardless of background or ability, is able to achieve
and thrive.
- Central to this is the ongoing work
to revitalise the curriculum, following
the recommendations of the
Curriculum and Assessment Review. The new
curriculum will improve the sequencing of
what children are learning
to ensure they achieve the best from
the start of their time at
school, while strengthening the
foundations in reading, maths and
science.
- This builds on existing support
already available including English Hubs, to
improve phonics, early language, and reading for pleasure, as
well as Maths Hubs, through support focussed on
maths subject knowledge and teaching-method training
for teachers.
- We know how crucial those early years are to supporting
academic attainment we will continue to ensure every reception
class is able to benefit from fully funded access to proven
programmes such as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention
(NELI), which has been shown to help children build strong speech
and language skills, because access to early language programmes
enables children to get the building blocks they need in
reception to set them up for success through school.
- Alongside academic support, this government has taken action
to turn the corner on attendance and behaviour. Absence is down
and persistent absence has plummeted with over 225,000 more
children attending school almost every day, which has a
significant positive impact on academic achievement.
- This government is also delivering a comprehensive programme
of behaviour support for schools, starting with
our attendance and behaviour hubs which directly target
the schools with the highest need as well as wider support for
schools in all corners of the country.
On the delay to the return of results
- In a statement released on the 1st of July,
the Education Secretary acknowledged her
frustration regarding the delay to the return of
results, which were due to be returned to schools on Tuesday
7th of July, following technical system failures
from Pearson.
- The delay was due to the readiness of the system and not
concerns about the quality of the tests or the results.
- Marking was subject to the quality assurance processes
require by the Standards and Testing Agency, including extensive
marker training, qualification exercises, and ongoing quality
checks of every marker's output throughout the process.
- The delay was to ensure thatpupils receive their results
accurately and to the highest possible standard of quality.
- The Department for Education has been clear that
we will be exploring all options for recourse, including
financial penalties and cancellation of the contract agreed
between Pearson and
the previous government.
Review
- The department is today launching a thorough
review, led by experienced educationalist Dame
Christine Gilbert, into how such a serious failing has
occurred.
- The review will examine the precise nature of the
issues that led to the delay, as well as the origin of
these issues, and the
role that Pearson, the Standards and Testing
Agency, the Department for Education, and,
where relevant, the regulatory role of
Ofqual, had in the process.
- The review will evaluate what changes can be made
to improve the delivery and operation of tests
going forward to avoid any
further disruption to schools and pupils,
and, most importantly, to rebuild trust
with both schools and families.
- The review will conclude in the autumn.
