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Basic writing skills have gone down

31/ 8/2007

FEWER seven-year-olds mastered the basic writing skills they need this year, while standards have stalled in maths, science and reading.

Primary school assessments across England saw writing results fall for the second year in a row, with 80 per cent of seven-year-olds reaching the expected standard, down 2pc from 2005.

There were no improvements in results for assessments in reading, speaking and listening, maths or science.

The figures are based on assessments by teachers in England's primary schools, including test results.

Boys continued to lag behind girls, with their results in maths dropping for the second consecutive year.

In writing, 86pc of girls reached the target - down one point on last year.

But for boys the figure was far lower, with just 75pc making the grade.

Schools Minister Lord Adonis promised to continue to push for further improvements but insisted he was pleased that 90pc of children were making the grade in maths, and 84pc in reading.

He said: "I am pleased that we are maintaining high standards at this crucial stage in education."

"We know that children who reach the expected level in reading, writing and maths at seven years old have a much better chance of leaving primary school with a solid foundation in literacy and numeracy skills.

"We must do more to raise standards even further, especially in writing. He said a return to teaching reading through learning letter sounds, a method known as `phonics', will boost standards further.

And ministers have already ordered a review of primary school maths.

Ministers have spent more than £21 billion on early years and childcare initiatives but a Durham University study this week found the measures have yet to make an impact.

Martin Johnson, from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said the pressure for children to start formal education was too much, too young.

He said: "The current system of endless national testing is narrowing the curriculum and putting children off learning.

"Evidence shows countries with the highest attainment overall start their formal education when children are older."