Press release

Key stage 2 test results published

Find out the results of tests in reading, writing and maths at the end of primary school in summer 2012.

From:
Department for Education and The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Published
20 September 2012
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

National, regional and local authority figures for key stage 2 tests in reading, writing and maths at the end of primary school were published today (20 September 2012).

This is an interim year for key stage 2 tests following recommendations made by the Bew Review into testing, assessment and accountability. For writing, there was no externally marked key stage 2 test. The subject’s score was solely based on teacher assessment of a pupil’s writing. This means that direct comparisons with previous years’ scores are not possible.

Percentage of pupils reaching Level 4 or above
Subject 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Since 2011
English 81 80 80 82 85* n/a*
Reading 87 86 83 84 87 +3
Writing 68 68 71 75 81* n/a*
Maths 79 79 79 80 84 +4
Both English and maths 73 72 73 74 80* n/a*

Note* - the figures for 2012 and 2011 are not directly compatible as the method of assessing English writing has changed

Elizabeth Truss, Minister for Education and Childcare, said:

I congratulate pupils, teachers and families on their hard work and achievements. The Government is committed to driving up standards by giving teachers more freedom, strengthening discipline and improving teacher quality.

Notes to editors

  1. The tests were taken by 542,500 11-year-olds in May this year (2012)

  2. The statistical first release (SFR) showing the key stage 2 provisional results is available on the official statistics section.

  3. Changes to the administrative process of marking tests may happen from year to year and care should be taken when comparing results between years. Readers’ attention is drawn to guidance within the SFR on the impact of changes when comparing this year’s results with other years.

  4. An approximately 5% sample of the pupils at the end of KS2 took science sampling tests to estimate national attainment in the subject.

  5. An approximately 10% sample of the pupils at the end of KS2 took writing sampling tests to estimate the standard of writing nationally.

  6. Teacher assessment judgements were also published at key stage 2.

DfE enquiries

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General enquiries - for members of the public 0370 000 2288

Website: www.education.gov.uk/help/contactus

Published 20 September 2012