The proportion of pupils meeting the government鈥檚 鈥渆xpected standard鈥� in reading, writing and maths SATs rose slightly this year, but is still not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. shows 61 per cent met the benchmark in the three tests, up from 60 per cent in 2023. Scaled scores for 2024 key stage 2 SATs announced In 2022, following two years of SATs cancellations due to Covid, the proportion reaching the expected standard in the three subjects dropped to 59 per cent, down from 65 per cent in 2019 and the lowest seen since 2016. This year’s data shows a slight improvement in reading, writing and science, while attainment in maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling remained unchanged this year. In reading, the proportion meeting the expected standard rose from 73 to 74 per cent. In writing, this increased from 71 to 72 per cent. In maths, the proportion meeting the expected standard remained unchanged at 73 per cent. Grammar, punctuation and spelling attainment also remained unchanged at 72 per cent. The proportion meeting the expected standard in science rose from 80 to 81 per cent. Before the pandemic, attainment in reading fluctuated between 72 and 73 per cent, while attainment in writing stood at 78 per cent, maths at 79 per cent, grammar, punctuation and spelling at 78 per cent and science at 83 per cent. ‘Far too many’ not meeting standard, says new minister Education minister Catherine McKinnell said: 鈥淚 know what a big moment it is for families and primary teachers across the country receiving SATs results today – thank you to all our wonderful teachers and staff who tirelessly supported children to prepare for the assessments earlier in the year. Catherine McKinnell 鈥淒espite the brilliance of our teachers, these figures show there are far too many pupils who are not meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, and almost total stagnation in progress nationally over the past three years.鈥� She said the new government 鈥渨ill give teachers and families the support their efforts deserve and make sure every child leaves primary school with strong foundations for future learning鈥�. , education secretary Bridget Phillipson thanked 鈥渁ll of the school staff, including support staff, who I know put so much time into preparing children for these tests鈥�. 鈥淏ut let me also say that this government will see you as more than just your test results. I鈥檝e written to all education workforces, making crystal clear that under this government, teachers and school staff will be truly valued for the life-changing impact that you have every single day. 鈥淚 want teachers to once again feel like they can concentrate on and be valued for the thing that they do best 鈥� improving the life chances of all of our children.鈥� Leaders question ‘purpose’ of tests Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders鈥� union, said year 6 pupils 鈥渟hould be immensely proud of their achievements throughout this year. They, and their teachers and school leaders have worked incredibly hard鈥�. But his union 鈥渞emains concerned about the purpose of year 6 SATs. In our recent member survey only 8 per cent of respondents agreed that statutory assessments inform future teaching and learning. 鈥淲e urge the new government reconsider the value and purpose of statutory assessments for schools, parents and children. They are given disproportionate significance and pile pressure onto pupils and staff, causing unnecessary stress and in some cases harming their wellbeing.鈥� Pupils faced ‘significant disruptions’ Pepe Di鈥橧asio, general secretary of the ASCL leaders鈥� union, said this year鈥檚 cohort 鈥渇aced significant learning disruptions at the end of year 2 and in year 3鈥�. 鈥淒espite the tremendous efforts by schools to provide catch-up support, the learning loss experienced by some students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, was considerable. 鈥淭his challenge has been further compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, which has severely affected the many children living in poverty.鈥� He said it was 鈥渄eeply regrettable that the previous government did not fully acknowledge this issue, both in terms of the inadequate post-pandemic education recovery funding and the decision to withdraw the national tutoring programme funding as of September鈥�. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Val 9 July 2024 Judging by previous labour governments who just refused to accept my figures for the retail price index and made up their own instead, I guess they will fiddle the figures to make them look like they are far better. After all you will have the same teachers, same parents and next year of their kids.