Mandatory reading test in year 8 to be introduced

The government has announced it will be introducing a mandatory reading test for all children in year 8, which it says will help identify gaps early and target help for those who need it, while enabling the most-able to go further.

This will build on the success of the phonics programme, setting a new ambition for 90% of children to be meeting the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check. 

Chief Executive, Lift Schools, Rebecca Boomer-Clark, said: "Reading is the key that unlocks everything, both learning and engagement. Having a national ambition for 90% of children passing the phonics check and the introduction of reading tests at Year 8 are both very positive steps forward. 

"We set ourselves a network 90% goal for primary phonics in 2021 and have been testing reading ability across our mainstream schools from Year 2 - Year 10 for the last few years. This has provided us with invaluable information and insight on how to get children back on track - it has driven significant leaps forward in how our children and young people read and as a result how they can engage fully in their learning. This work is critically important for all children, but especially so for those from more disadvantaged backgrounds."

Data from the new statutory assessment will be made available to Ofsted and government, but individual schools’ results will not be published – as with the phonics check. Schools will make children’s results available to parents. 

The government has said that it expects that it is not an assessment children need to revise for.