More primary school pupils meet reading standards

Primary school pupils have shown improvement in their reading ability, as attainment in this year’s reading assessment has increased since last year.
 
New statistics on the Phonics Screening Check show 79% of five-and six-year-olds met the expected standard, up from 75% last year.
 
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “Teaching children to read using phonics has been a key part of this government's focus on driving up school standards over the past 13 years, and our children are now the best readers in the west.

“These results reflect the hard work of our teachers and show strong progress as pupils continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic.”

The Phonics Screening Check was first introduced in 2012 when only 58% met the expected standard. Since 2012, there has been a 21% point increase in attainment in the check, highlighting the government’s commitment to raising standards across the board.