SAT-isfactory

74 pc of primary pupils achieve expected standard

NEARLY three-quarters of children left primary school in Oldham this summer with a good grasp of the basics.

Figures show that 74 per cent of the borough’s 2,900 11-year-olds reached the standard expected of their age (level 4) in both the English and maths national curriculum tests.

This matches the national average and is down slightly from 75 per cent in Oldham in 2010.

But it means that 754 of the borough’s children will start secondary school in August without a good grasp of both subjects.

Overall the results for the tests showed:

::82 per cent of Oldham youngsters reached level four in reading (84 per cent England).

::Oldham matched the national figure of 75 per cent for writing, 81 per cent in English (made up of the reading and writing tests) and 80 per cent in maths.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb welcomed the rise in Level 4 results, which are up across the board, especially in writing.

But he said: “There has been a decline in the proportion of children — both boys and girls — who can read and write beyond the expected level.

“And the results of our weakest readers and writers also remain a real concern.

“We are determined to raise standards of reading. There will always be some children for whom reading is a struggle. However, we can and must do much better for the one in 10 boys who at the age of 11 can read no better than a seven–year–old.”

Mr Gibb said that the Government was introducing a reading test for six–year–olds to identify those who are struggling.

He added: “It is also critical that children read for pleasure. All primary school children should have a reading book on the go at home. Evidence from around the world indicates that the more a child reads, the better their attainment in all subjects – not just reading – will be.”