Literacy Standards

Mr. Jack
14. To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make a statement on literacy standards in primary schools.

Jim Knight
Standards of literacy in our primary schools are at their highest levels ever. 80 per cent. of 11-year-olds are now reaching the target level in English, compared to 63 per cent. in 1997. This means that around 100,000 more pupils a year are reaching the expected standard for their age.

The renewed primary literacy strategy, with a stronger emphasis on phonics, Every Child a Reader and Every Child a Writer to help those pupils who are struggling will help to ensure that we maintain and extend the improvements we have already achieved.