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Primary tests results improving Primary tests results improving
(10 minutes later)
Primary school national test results in England have shown a slight improvement in English, maths and science.Primary school national test results in England have shown a slight improvement in English, maths and science.
In all subjects, based on "Sats" tests taken this year by 11 year olds, there was a rise of one percentage point.In all subjects, based on "Sats" tests taken this year by 11 year olds, there was a rise of one percentage point.
There were 80% of pupils who reached the expected standard in English; 77% in maths and 88% in science.There were 80% of pupils who reached the expected standard in English; 77% in maths and 88% in science.
Girls have once again achieved much better results than boys in English - with four in 10 boys failing to meet the expected level for writing.Girls have once again achieved much better results than boys in English - with four in 10 boys failing to meet the expected level for writing.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis, welcomed the "best set of Key Stage 2 results we have ever seen".Schools Minister Andrew Adonis, welcomed the "best set of Key Stage 2 results we have ever seen".
Missed targetMissed target
But there had been targets set for last year for 85% of pupils to achieve the expected levels for both English and maths.But there had been targets set for last year for 85% of pupils to achieve the expected levels for both English and maths.
"There is still more to do. That is why from this September we are introducing further measures to accelerate the pace of learning," said Lord Adonis. Lord Adonis said he would make "no apologies for setting ambitious targets - they have been vital at driving improvements".
"There will be a renewed emphasis on phonics in early reading teaching and in maths, children will focus more on mental arithmetic including learning times tables one year earlier." From September, there will be an emphasis on using phonics to teach reading and more mental arithmetic, said Lord Adonis, "to accelerate the pace of learning".
The results once again show that boys are still not achieving as well as girls at English. While 85% of girls reached the expected level, only 76% of boys reached this benchmark.
For the writing component of the English test, the gap was even wider - with 75% of girls reaching the expected standard compared to only 60% of boys.
Head teachers have called for a change of direction for tests and league tables - arguing that they "distort" the last year of primary school.Head teachers have called for a change of direction for tests and league tables - arguing that they "distort" the last year of primary school.
'Closed institutions'
"The tests skew the curriculum. We are letting the assessment system dominate the curriculum and it should be the other way round," said Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers."The tests skew the curriculum. We are letting the assessment system dominate the curriculum and it should be the other way round," said Mick Brookes, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers.
Mr Brookes argues that assessments made by teachers should be used rather than tests.Mr Brookes argues that assessments made by teachers should be used rather than tests.
"For some schools, particularly where they are struggling to raise standards, children do have their final year spoiled because they are spending so much time rehearsing the tests," he said."For some schools, particularly where they are struggling to raise standards, children do have their final year spoiled because they are spending so much time rehearsing the tests," he said.
But the government rejected any suggestion that it should stop allowing parents to see how well schools were performing.But the government rejected any suggestion that it should stop allowing parents to see how well schools were performing.
"Parents do not want to go back to a world where schools were closed institutions," said Department for Children, Schools and Families Minister Kevin Brennan."Parents do not want to go back to a world where schools were closed institutions," said Department for Children, Schools and Families Minister Kevin Brennan.
"National tests allow parents to see accurately how their school performs in comparison to other schools. Without information, parents have no choice," said Mr Brennan."National tests allow parents to see accurately how their school performs in comparison to other schools. Without information, parents have no choice," said Mr Brennan.