Only three fifths of children will leave primary school this month having reached the expected level in the 3Rs.
New figures from the Department for Education show that 61 per cent of pupils in England achieved the required standard in their Key Stage 2 tests across reading, writing and maths combined.
This is one percentage point higher than last year but still lower than the 65 per cent in 2019 before Covid.
The tests, known as Sats, were taken in May by children in Year 6 heading to secondary school this September. Primary schools are measured by how many pupils reach the expected standard.
Ministers in the last Conservative government set an ambition for 90 per cent of children in England to leave primary school at the expected standard in reading, writing and maths by 2030, but even before the pandemic the results were nowhere near that high.
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This year individual subject scores were higher than last year or the same, with 74 per cent at the expected standard in reading, up from 73 per cent, and 72 per cent meeting the expected standard in writing, up from 71 per cent.
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Eighty-one per cent met the expected standard in science, up from 80 per cent; 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 is also unchanged.
More detailed figures will be published in September, including individual schools and how many children were deemed to be working at greater depth.
One of this year’s maths Sats papers was criticised by head teachers for posing unduly complicated questions, with multiple parts and opaque phrasing making it harder to understand than normal.
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Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “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. 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.”
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Pepe Di’lasio, 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. 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.
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“This challenge has been further compounded by the cost of living crisis, which has severely affected the many children living in poverty.” He said the government should introduce more money for post-pandemic education recovery.
Catherine McKinnell, who was appointed education minister on Monday, said: “Despite the brilliance of our teachers, these figures show there are far too many pupils who are 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.”
