Archive: Literacy Numeracy

Half a million 11-year-olds unable to read and write since 1997

Literacy appears unimproved from when Tony Blair entered Downing Street

The number of 11-year-olds leaving primary school unable to read or write has reached half a million since Labour came to power, according to figures released today.

1 in 5 cannot read but results still 'best ever'

Govt says children 'too busy' to read

One million pupils in 'underperforming' schools

Pivotal education policy abandoned

From 2011, schools will no longer have to implement national strategies in literacy and numeracy.

The government will reverse one of the most significant education policies of the Blair era, ending centralised control of schools and granting teachers more powers, it was revealed today.

MPs unimpressed by govt's 'dismal' literacy record

The government's poor record on improving adult literacy and numeracy has been attacked by an influential group of MPs.

MP slammed over dyslexia comments

Outspoken Graham Stringer criticised over dyslexia comments

Labour backbencher Graham Stringer is attracting criticism after describing dyslexia as a "cruel fiction".

One on four pupils failing maths

Nearly 25 percent of primary school students are not meeting the expected mathematics performance standard, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) report.

20,000 trainee teachers fail maths test

Around 20,000 trainee teachers have had to retake numeracy tests, according to figures released in a parliamentary answer.

Maths failure 'threatening UK economy'

Standards in maths are slipping due to government interference, the report concludes

Britain's failure to teach mathematics at both school and university level to a high standard has cost the economy £9 million, according to a report published today.

Budget 'boost to failing schools'

Darling to release more cash for schools?

Despite a projected tight round of public spending, the chancellor is expected to make extra money available to tackle failing schools.

Fewer pupils passing key maths tests

The number of 14-year-olds reaching an adequate level in maths has fallen while "slight improvements" have been seen in English and Science attainment.

English primary school pupils 'over-tested'

Children 'start too early and tested too much'

The government has rejected claims primary school pupils are over-tested and hot-housed through an unproductive school system.

Social mobility as bad as 1970s

Hughes insists reforms will show progress

Social mobility in the UK has not improved since the 1970s, despite ten years of a Labour government, a report by the Sutton Trust finds today.

UK education 'no longer world class'

UK drops out of top-ten for maths and reading standards

The UK can no longer claim to offer a world-class education system, a comparison of international achievement among 15-year-olds suggests.

200,000 pupils 'failing three Rs'

Official statistics will be published on Thursday

A total of 240,000 primary school students are unable to meet benchmarks for reading, writing and arithmetic, a newspaper report claims.

Govt says children 'too busy' to read

Balls wants parents to read with children more

The government has urged parents to enthuse children about books after a global comparison shows British schoolchildren are reading less than five years ago.

Tories for central reading tests

The Conservatives are calling for external reading tests for seven-year-olds

Seven-year-olds would sit a national reading test under the Conservatives' new proposals to boost literacy.

Private schools could drop 'trendy' lessons

Private schools could drop national curriculum

Private schools could abandon the "fashionable" national curriculum for a return to 1950s-style education.

Tories for regimental schooling

The shadow schools secretary has called for a return to traditional teaching methods

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove has called for a return to traditional methods of teaching children at state schools.

Govt 'must do more' to raise basic skills

The level of basic skills among seven-year-olds has not noticeably improved in the past year, but the government insists high standards have been maintained.

Early-years education 'having little effect'

'Little improvement' in young children's skills

1 in 5 cannot read but results still 'best ever'

The government has welcomed this year's key stage two results as the best-ever batch, showing progress in literacy and numeracy.

Government refuses to back down over school testing

The government will continue to resist calls from teachers' unions to moderate its "obsession" with testing, following a statement from the new children and schools secretary Ed Balls that national tests and school league tables will not be scrapped.

Teachers handed freedom to pick subjects

The secondary school curriculum is to be radically relaxed in order to give teachers more freedom in the classroom.

Balls 'humbled' to be leading schools reforms

The new schools and children secretary has spoken of his "honour and responsibility" at his promotion.

Cameron hits back at 'naive' opponents

Cameron criticises 'hysterical' reaction

David Cameron has been forced to rebuke his backbench MPs, as the Conservative party threatens to fracture over the issue of grammar schools and the party's commitment to academic selection.