Eighty-two per cent reach expected standard in phonics

The proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in phonics was 82 per cent in year 1, an increase of one percentage point on last year and up 25 percentage points since 2012 when the phonics checks were first put in place.

This means that 163,000 more 6-year-olds are on track to become fluent readers since 2012.

The phonics screening check and KS1 assessments showed that free schools performed particularly well with 88 per cent of pupils meeting the expected standard in phonics.

London is the best performing region with Wandsworth, Bromley, Newham and Hammersmith and Fulham the best performing local authorities in the country.

1,268 schools had at least 95 per cent of pupils achieving the phonics standard in year 1 in 2018, up from 1,076 in 2017.

At Key Stage 1 the statistics show 70 per cent of children reaching the expected standard in writing, 75 per cent of pupils reaching the standard in reading, and 76 per cent of pupils reaching the standard in maths.

The focus on phonics – where children learn to read by sounding out and blending letters – has played a significant part in the improvement in primary school standards. England has risen from 19th place in 2006 to joint 8th in the world reading league table (PIRLS).

Since the introduction of the phonics screening check in 2012, the proportion of pupils meeting the expected standard in phonics has risen from 58% to 82%.

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: "Reading and writing are the foundations of education and once grasped can open up a world of literature and knowledge to young people.

"Our continued focus on raising standards means six-year-olds are reading better than ever before – and we are setting an international benchmark, with Australia looking to follow our lead on phonics.

"This is a huge achievement, improving the lives and education of hundreds of thousands of children but we remain determined to make sure that not just most children, but every single child is able to meet his or her potential."