Youngsters improve in core subjects

MORE five to seven year olds in Oldham are achieving the required standards in core subjects — but the area is still lagging behind.

According to the Department for Education, improvements were made this year compared to last in reading, writing, maths and science. But results for speaking and listening fell.

For reading, 85 per cent of the children secured a level 2 or above — the expected standard for their age — up from 83 in 2011.

Writing also saw a 1 per cent increase to 79 per cent and maths increased from 86 to 88 per cent. Science remained at 84 per cent.

The number of youngsters reaching the required level for speaking and listening fell by 1 per cent to 83. The results put Oldham below the average for England, where 87 per cent achieved the standard in reading, 83 per cent in writing, 88 per cent in speaking and listening and 91 per cent in maths. Science stayed the same at 89 per cent.