New tests show 1 in 4 struggling with spelling, punctuation and grammar
Figures for reading, writing and maths assessments taken by more than half a million 11-year-olds have been published.

皇冠体育app key stage 2 statistics include the results of the new spelling, punctuation and grammar tests taken for the first time this year. 皇冠体育appy show:
- one-quarter of 11-year-olds failed to reach the expected level (level 4) - 139,000 pupils
- almost a third of boys did not reach the expected level - almost 85,000 pupils
- that while girls did better, one-fifth still did not reach level 4 - almost 55,000 pupils
Overall more than 408,000 11-year-olds, just over three-quarters of pupils, achieved at least the expected levels in the 3 Rs (reading, writing and maths). That is a one percentage point increase from last year.
Percentage of pupils reaching level 4 or above
Subject | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reading | 86 | 83 | 84 | 87 | 86 |
Maths | 79 | 79 | 80 | 84 | 85 |
SPG | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 74 |
Writing | n/a | n/a | n/a | 81 | 83 |
Reading, writing and maths | 62 | 64 | 67 | 75 | 76 |
Note: From 2012, writing teacher assessment replaced writing tests
Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said:
Today鈥檚 figures show the majority of children are performing well and they, along with their parents and teachers, should be congratulated for their achievements.
However, the statistics also reveal that 1 in 4 children is leaving primary school without a firm grasp of spelling, punctuation and grammar. 皇冠体育app new test encourages schools to focus on these basics.
British businesses are very clear - written communication has never been more important. Children need to be able to spell well and write proper sentences to get on in life.
Notes to editors
- 皇冠体育app tests were taken by 537,800 11-year-olds in May this year.
- Download the statistical first release (SFR) showing the key stage 2 provisional results.
- 皇冠体育app government announced the introduction of spelling, punctuation and grammar tests in 2011. This is the first cohort of children to take the new tests.
- Changes to the administrative process of marking tests may happen from year to year and care should be taken when comparing results between years. Readers鈥� attention is drawn to guidance within the SFR on the impact of changes when comparing this year鈥檚 results with other years.
- For the first time this year, results show what proportion of 11-year-olds achieved a 鈥榞ood鈥� level 4 (4a and 4b). Figures show 47% of pupils who did not score in the top or middle third of the level 4 mark range in both English and maths went on to achieve at least 5 A* to C GCSE grades, including English and maths last year.
DfE media enquiries
Central newsdesk - for journalists 020 7783 8300