90,000 primary students achieve maths and literacy skill target

The government had previously raised the bar on test scores by introducing higher floor standards, banning calculators for maths tests and introducing a spelling, punctuation and grammar test.

The statistics from the Key Stage 2 tests, taken in May by almost 580,000 pupils, showed that 80 per cent of students achieved the expected Level 4 in reading, writing and maths - up from just 62 per cent in 2009. The highest ever percentage of pupils reached the expected level in maths, at 87 per cent - up one percentage point on last year. Since 2010, it has increased by eight percentage points - equivalent to 46,000 more pupils reaching the expected levels.

Additionally, the proportion of children reaching the reading standard by the end of primary school remains at an all-time high and has improved from 83 per cent to 89 per cent since 2010 - which equates to 33,300 more children in total. This year, 80 per cent of pupils achieved the expected level in grammar, punctuation and spelling tests which is up four percentage points.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “A good grounding in reading, writing and maths sets a young child up for life - so I am delighted that 90,000 more children are starting secondary school with a firm grasp of the basics compared to just five years ago.”

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