This data from the government provides the latest headline statistics on attainment in key stage 2 national curriculum assessments in England. It shows that more pupils have met the expected standard in this year’s mathematics and writing SATs assessments compared to last year.
Due to the pandemic, it was expected that there would be lower levels of attainment compared to 2019, while children caught up on lost learning. However, the results showed that 73% of pupils met the expected standard in maths – up from 71% in 2022.
Overall, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined - the same as the result in 2022 but a decrease from 2019 which was 65%. Grammar, punctuation and spelling results also remain unchanged from 2022.
There was a 2% point increase in attainment in writing which is now at 71% and whilst those meeting the expected standard in reading is down from 2022 from 75% to 73%, it remains higher compared to 2016 (66%) and is in line with pre-pandemic standards (73% met the expected standard in reading in 2019).
Additionally, science teacher assessments showed 80% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 79% last year.
These results help teachers and parents understand how pupils are doing in English, maths and science, allowing them to pinpoint where extra help might be needed. The test results also help inform a pupil’s transition to secondary school by ensuring that they receive the right support once they start.
The government says the increased attainment in maths and writing from last year, coupled with standards in reading reflecting pre-pandemic levels, indicate the progress that has been made in recovering from the pandemic.
Key Findings:
- In individual subjects, attainment increased in maths, writing and science compared to 2022. Attainment remained the same in GPS and fell in reading.
- In reading, 73% of pupils met the expected standard, down from 75% in 2022.
- In maths, 73% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 71% in 2022.
- In writing, 71% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 69% in 2022.
- In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 72% of pupils met the expected standard, unchanged from 2022.
- In science, 80% of pupils met the expected standard, up from 79% in 2022.
- Attainment in all of reading, writing and maths (combined) remained the same as in 2022.
- In all of reading, writing and maths, 59% of pupils met the expected standard, unchanged from 2022.