The percentage of primary school students meeting the expected standard in this year’s SATs exams has seen a slight increase from last year, but still falls short of pre-pandemic levels, according to official statistics.
The Key Stage 2 (KS2) results, which measure Year 6 literacy and maths attainment in England, revealed that 61 per cent of students met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, a slight increase from 60 per cent in 2023.
In comparison, 65 per cent achieved the expected standard in 2019.
The previous Conservative government had set a goal for 90 per cent of children in England to leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by 2030.
When looking at individual subjects, scores were either higher than or equal to last year’s.
READ MORE: SATs results 2024 explained, how test scores are scaled and what a ‘good’ score is
In total, 74 per cent met the expected standard in reading, an increase from 73 per cent, and 72 per cent met the expected standard in writing, up from 71 per cent.
More than four out of five students (81 per cent) met the expected standard in science, a slight increase from 80 per cent.
Overall, 72 per cent met the expected standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling, which was the same as last year, and 73 per cent reached the expected standard in maths, which also remained unchanged.
However, some primary school leaders and experts have voiced concerns about the difficulty level of one of the maths SATs papers this summer.
The Department for Education (DfE) acknowledged that this year’s Year 6 students experienced disruption to their learning during the pandemic, particularly at the end of Year 2 and in Year 3.
Excluding reading, grades across individual subjects remained lower than those before the pandemic.
Education minister Catherine McKinnell said: “I know what a big moment it is for families and primary teachers across the country receiving SATs results today thank you to all our wonderful teachers and staff who tirelessly supported children to prepare for the assessments earlier in the year.”
Despite praising their efforts she added: “Despite the brilliance of our teachers, these figures show there are far too many pupils who are not meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, and almost total stagnation in progress nationally over the past three years.
“This Government will give teachers and families the support their efforts deserve and make sure every child leaves primary school with strong foundations for future learning.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Year 6 pupils should be immensely proud of their achievements throughout this year, for most, the last in their primary school. They and their teachers and school leaders have worked incredibly hard.”
But he added: “We urge the new Government to reconsider the value and purpose of statutory assessments for schools, parents and children. They are given disproportionate significance and pile pressure on to pupils and staff, causing unnecessary stress and in some cases harming their wellbeing.
“I know what a big moment it is for families and primary teachers across the country receiving SATs results today thank you to all our wonderful teachers and staff who tirelessly supported children to prepare for the assessments earlier in the year.
“The current high-stakes testing regime fails to value children as individuals, foster positive mental health, or encourage a broad and balanced curriculum.
“We stand ready to work with the new Government to develop an alternative and more proportionate approach which minimises the negative impacts on the curriculum, staff and pupils.”
‘It’s time to replace SATs’
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “While the percentage of children meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined has increased since the pandemic, it remains lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This highlights the ongoing impact of the educational disruptions caused by Covid-19.
“The children who sat Key Stage 2 tests this year faced significant learning disruptions at the end of Year 2 and in Year 3. Despite the tremendous efforts by schools to provide catch-up support, the learning loss experienced by some students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, was considerable.
“This challenge has been further compounded by the cost of living crisis, which has severely affected the many children living in poverty.
“I know what a big moment it is for families and primary teachers across the country receiving SATs results today thank you to all our wonderful teachers and staff who tirelessly supported children to prepare for the assessments earlier in the year.
“It is deeply regrettable that the previous government did not fully acknowledge this issue, both in terms of the inadequate post-pandemic education recovery funding and the decision to withdraw the National Tutoring Programme funding as of September. This is a step backwards, and we strongly urge the new Government to reconsider and restore this vital support.”
A spokeswoman for campaign group More Than A Score said: “SATs fail all children, not just the 39 per cent who will start secondary school having been told they have not ‘reached the expected standard’.
“Parents, heads and teachers agree that SATs do not measure all that children can do and are damaging to mental health. With a new Government now in place, it’s time to listen to those who know children and the primary school system the best.
“It’s time to replace SATs with forward-looking, fairer assessments which support children’s love of learning and effectively measure school performance.”
