THE percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in reading, writing and maths in Thurrock primary schools has risen once again.
According to data released by the Department for Education this week the Thurrock figure is now only one per cent behind the national average for state-funded schools – increasing from 79 per cent last year to 80 per cent.
But Director of Children’s Services, Carmel Littleton, speaking on Thursday (27 August) said the government department had made an error in its statistics; it is aware of the error and will correct it in time.
She said: “Looking at the correct data, it shows 79 per cent of 11-year-olds have achieved Level 4 or higher in their SAT tests in the three subjects this year, two per cent better than the benchmark in 2014 – and while the national figure rose by one per cent, Thurrock’s rose by two.”
Other headline figures show the number of children who made expected progress in reading and writing between Key Stages 1 and 2 also rose across the borough.
The percentage of pupils doing this in reading went up from 91 per cent to 95½ per cent – well above the national average of 91 percent.
And the percentage making expected progress in writing went up from 95 to 96 per cent, which also exceeds the national figure of 94 per cent.
“However,” said Ms Littleton, “the percentage of pupils attaining the higher Level 5 score is lower than the national figure which is why it remains a priority for all schools in the borough.
“It is this council’s ambition that every child will attend a good or outstanding school and with these figures, the schools are certainly well on the way to achieving that.”
