Minister for Schools (): The Key Stage 2 (KS2)
statistics released today show an increase in this year’s
mathematics and writing attainment compared to 2022. More pupils
met the expected standard in mathematics (73% in 2023 up from 71%
in 2022) and writing (71% in 2023 up from 69% in 2022) than last
year. The percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in
all of reading, writing and mathematics (combined) at age 11 was
59% in 2023. This is unchanged from last year. The percentage of
pupils meeting the expected standard in science has also risen
(80% in 2023 up from 79% in 2022) and those meeting the expected
standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling remains unchanged
from 2022 (72%).
Whilst those meeting the expected standard in reading is down
from 2022 from 75% to 73%, it remains higher compared to 2016
(66%) and is in line with pre-pandemic standards (73% met the
expected standard in reading in 2019). This stability compared to
pre-pandemic results was also reflected in the Progress in
International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results released in
May. Despite the disruption of the pandemic, England’s score
remained stable, following significant improvements in 2011 and
2016, coming fourth out of the 43 countries that tested children
of the same age. England’s score of 558 was well above the
international average of 520 and the European average of 524.
This is the second publication of KS2 attainment since the
beginning of the pandemic, as there were no KS2 assessments taken
in 2020 and 2021. Following the impact of the pandemic, it was
expected that there may be lower levels of attainment while
children caught up on lost learning. The progress that has been
made in recovering from the pandemic is testament to the hard
work of teachers and teaching assistants across the country.
The Government is determined to build on the significant progress
that has been made over the past decade in raising standards in
reading through the tried and tested approach of phonics. It
places great focus on ensuring early reading is taught well
because children can only begin to articulate their thoughts in
writing when they have a good grounding in early reading and
spoken language. This is why today, we are announcing an updated
version of our Reading Framework. This will provide teachers and
school leaders with evidence-informed guidance on good practice
in reading in primary schools and for those key stage 2 and
secondary school pupils who still need support. We are also
announcing today our intention to launch an evidence review of
best practice in the teaching of writing. This will be a valuable
resource for schools and will inform further research and
guidance.
The department also continues to invest in English hubs and Maths
hubs. These programmes enable high-performing primary schools to
spread their exemplary practice in the teaching of reading and
mathematics across more primary schools. Furthermore, the
government is investing an extra £2 billion into our core schools
funding this year and the year after, meaning school funding will
be at its highest level in history next year, as measured by the
IFS. This increase builds on our continued efforts to embed
tutoring and provide targeted support for schools and children in
need,
There will be a further statistical release in September setting
out a more granular breakdown of the KS2 results and will include
statistics at regional and local authority level and for pupil
characteristics such as disadvantage.
