Maths standards fall, figures show

There has been a drop in the number of teenagers meeting expected standards in maths, government figures revealed on Tuesday.

National Curriculum key stage three test results - published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families - revealed that 76 per cent of 14-year-olds achieved a level five in maths, representing a one per cent fall since last year.

In 2007, some 600,000 pupils in England took the tests, also known as Sats, in which level five is the standard expected for 14-year-olds.

English results have improved slightly since 2006, although the 74 per cent of pupils attaining level five represents no change from two years ago.

However, the figures showed that fewer pupils attained expected results in writing.

In science, there was a slight improvement, with 73 per cent of pupils reaching level five, up one point on last year and there was a three point rise in ICT exam results in which 74 per cent of pupils reached the level expected for their age.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "Whilst I'm disappointed to see a drop in maths and writing, it's important to put this into context.

"The overall trend remains upwards and there have been dips in the past that have been quickly reversed."

He welcomed the six point improvement in reading for boys, saying that "confident literacy skills" can "help boys succeed in all subjects".

"We are introducing a new secondary curriculum next year, which will give teachers more flexibility and more power to help children who are at risk of falling behind to master the basics, as well as offering more stretching opportunities for those who excel," Knight added.

However, the Conservatives accused the government of being "too easy on itself".

Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said: "The fall in the proportion of 14-year-olds reaching the expected level in maths is deeply worrying, and with English results back to where they were two years ago, it is clear there is a serious problem.

"The results confirm Ofsted's view that half of secondary schools are performing at a level that is 'not good enough'. The government’s response to these results is therefore, complacent."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, warned against placing Sats "into league tables which create days of national soul-searching".

"They are simply a test of progress in three subjects by all 14-year-olds and while they provide useful internal information for schools, the national statistics are of very little use," he said.