Literacy news

Underperforming primaries could face intervention

15 Dec 2010

Almost 1,000 primary schools in England could be closed or taken over for failing to reach government standards in English and not making enough progress in either subject, primary school league tables published today reveal.

The tables reveal that in 962 primary schools fewer than 60% of pupils can write a proper sentence using commas by the time they leave – the standard expected of their age group.

Last month, Michael Gove, the education secretary voiced his concerns that primaries were underperforming. He said that if fewer than 60% of pupils achieved this standard (level four), these schools could be turned into academies or face "intervention". The previous government said 55% of pupils in every primary should reach level four.

Today's tables are of 10- and 11-year-olds' scores in English known as Sats. The tests are normally taken by pupils at more than 15,000 state schools. However, in May, teachers at about 4,000 primaries – a quarter – boycotted Sats in protest at the way the scores are used in league tables. This year's statistics will be skewed as a result.

Judging from the schools that did take the tests, today's tables appear to show that primaries are improving. Last year, 1,631 schools would have been deemed underperforming according to the new standard.

Some 289 primary schools achieved a "perfect score", with 100% of pupils achieving level four in English, slightly more than last year's 282.

The tables show that a school that has 43% of pupils on free school meals and is in one of the most deprived parts of London is getting more out of its pupils than any other.

Last month, ministers ordered a review into how primary schools in England "drill" rather than teach pupils. The findings, to be published by June next year, could lead to an overhaul of school league tables.

For the first time this year, teacher assessment figures were also included.

Nick Gibb, the schools minister, said the tables showed many primaries were providing a "first-class education". But half of all 10- and 11-year-old boys on free school meals were not reaching the standards expected of them and were "being let down by our education system", he added. "It is unacceptable that after seven years of primary school, these children are not the standard in English and maths that they need to be to flourish at secondary school."

National Sats scores, published in August, showed that 81% of 11-year-olds reach level four in English, a percentage point increase on last year.

Many schools have no data because of the boycott.

Read more on Guardian Education.

Tags: Children, Schools & teaching

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