Phonics check and key stage 1 results

National, regional and local authority results for the phonics reading check and key stage 1 results have been published.

The statistics show that in this year’s phonics check:

 

  • almost 177,000 6-year-olds were identified as being below the expected level - they will now receive extra help from their teachers so that they catch up with their peers and become strong readers
  • 69% of 6-year-olds (almost 423,000 pupils) reached the expected level (32 out of 40) - last year 58% of children achieved the expected level
  • the government introduced the phonics check for 6-year-olds after figures showed 1 in 11 children left primary school in 2010 with a reading age no better than that of a 7-year-old

Children who do not reach the threshold in the light-touch check are given extra reading help by their teachers so they catch up early in their school career, before it is too late.

Phonics is internationally proven as the most effective method to teach children how to read, with a range of studies, including from the USA and Australia, supporting its use (see notes to editors).

The check has increased schools’ focus on phonics. Over the last 2 years 13,400 schools have taken advantage of government funding to buy high-quality synthetic phonics products or training so they can improve their teaching.

Education Minister Elizabeth Truss said:

"We are committed to improving children’s reading.

"The phonics check helps teachers identify those pupils who need extra help in learning to read.

"Many thousands of children will now receive the extra support they need to catch up with their peers and develop a love of reading."

Teacher assessment figures for reading, writing, speaking and listening, maths, and science at the end of key stage 1 are also published today.

They show that from last year the proportion of 7-year-olds reaching the expected level (level 2) rose 1 percentage point in reading to 89%, 2 points in writing to 85%, 1 point in speaking and listening to 89%, and 1 point in science to 90%. The result for maths was the same as last year, 91%.

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