1/3 of Devon children not hitting targets

Government figures show pupils are failing to reach expected levels of reading, writing and maths by the end of primary school.

Pupils in Devon were as likely to reach the expected standard as pupils in England as a whole, while nine per cent of pupils were working at a higher than expected standard across the three subject areas.

A Devon County Council spokesman admitted that there was room for improvement.

They added: “Devon schools are funded at well below the national average, but our teachers continue to deliver results that equal and in many cases exceed the national average.

“However, there is always room for improvement and we work closely with heads and schools to enhance the education we offer Devon’s children.”

Pupils take national curriculum assessments at the end of year 6. The tests (commonly referred to as SATs) cover reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Pupils also receive a teacher assessment in reading, writing, maths and science.

To reach the expected standard in all of reading, writing and maths, a pupil must achieve a scaled score of 100 or more in their reading and maths tests.

They must also be judged to be either ‘reaching the expected standard’ or ‘working at greater depth’ in the writing teacher assessment.

Girls outperformed boys in Devon, with 68 per cent of girls reaching the expected standard across reading, writing and maths, compared to 60 per cent of boys.

In terms of individual SATs results, 77 per cent of pupils in Devon reached the expected standard in reading in 2018, up from 75 per cent in 2017.

In maths, 75 per cent reached the expected standard – up from 74 per cent in 2017, while in grammar, punctuation and spelling it was 76 per cent, the same as in 2017.

Pupils in Plymouth and Torbay were less likely to reach the expected standard across all assessments, both at 62 per cent, with the national average of pupils reached the expected standard in all of reading, writing and maths was 64 per cent.