October 19th, 2006
CONCERN OVER
FALL IN BASIC SUBJECT STANDARDS
COMMENTING on today’s publication of National Curriculum assessments of seven, 11 and 14-year-olds in English, Maths, Science and Welsh, the Welsh Conservatives’ education spokesman William Graham AM said:
“I am extremely concerned that on the whole standards appear to be falling across all age ranges in these core subjects.
“Without the basic skills in English, Maths, Science and Welsh, students will lack the tools needed to further their education or enter the world of work.
“I am also worried about the growing gap in performance in these core subjects between boys and girls.
“Despite all her talk, it is clear that the agenda being pursued by the Education Minister is failing to improve the skills needed to make Wales a world class learning country.
“Pupils need more help to meet the minimum standards required. If they fail year-on-year there are precious few opportunities to put that right.
“Improving standards in maths and science in particular is vital if Wales is to meet the challenges presented by today’s increasingly competitive economy.”
ENDS
Details of National Curriculum assessments of 7, 11 and 14-year-olds can be found at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/schools-2006/hdw20061019/?lang=en
Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 summary
Percentage of pupils achieving at least the expected level in teacher assessments
Key stage 1
|
English Welsh Mathematics Science Core subject indicator |
2005
83.8 89.5 87.3 89.4 80.9 |
2006
83.1 88.6 87.2 89.4 80.6 |
% change
-0.7 -0.9 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 |
Key stage 2
|
English Welsh Mathematics Science Core subject indicator |
2005
79.3 76.3 79.9 86.6 74.3 |
2006
78.6 75.5 81.0 85.6 74.2 |
% change
-0.6 -0.9 1.1 -1.0 0.0 |
Key stage 3
|
English Welsh Mathematics Science Core subject indicator |
2005
67.2 74.9 72.9 71.8 58.3 |
2006
67.8 71.9 71.7 73.3 58.2 |
% change
0.6 -3.0 -1.2 1.5 -0.1 |
For further information, contact -
William Graham JP, AM
SPOKESMAN FOR EDUCATION
Email – william.graham@wales.gov.uk
