In a new spelling, punctuation and grammar test, taken by pupils for the first time this year, more than one in four 26% did not gain a level 4 the standard expected of 11-year-olds. Researchers also found evidence of a wage premium for school children with good reading skills, although the effect was considerably less marked than for maths. The disclosure underlines the importance of ensuring that pupils have a good understanding of adding, subtracting and dividing by the time they leave primary school.
The figures, published by the Department for Education, show that overall 76% of pupils were awarded a level 4 or higher in all three subjects tested-reading, writing and maths. This is up one percentage point from 75% last year, but still means 24% did not reach the expected level this year. Today's figures show the majority of children are performing well and they, along with their parents and teachers, should be congratulated for their achievements. The Government has now unveiled a radical ovehaul of the primary maths curriculum in an attempt to drive up standards. Our research shows that maths skills developed during primary school continue to matter for earnings 20 to 30 years down the line.
The research looked at the link between the reading and maths score of pupils born in April 1970 at the age of 10 and their earnings at the ages of 30, 34 and 38. That's why our draft maths primary school curriculum focuses on raising standards in arithmetic, including efficient calculation methods such as long and short multiplication and division and fractions. The calculations of fractions, volume, and area will be introduced earlier. Children must be able to tackle algebra and statistics by the time they reach secondary school.