Pupils hitting grades below UK average

The number of primary school pupils in the West Midlands achieving the expected grades at Key Stage 1 is below the national average, it was revealed today.

A total of 84 per cent of seven year olds reached the expected level 1 in assessments for reading, writing, maths and science.

This compared with 85 per cent across the whole of the country.

Sandwell was one of the worst performing local authorities in the region, scoring 80 per cent. A total of 3,788 pupils completed the tests.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton also came up short compared with the rest of the country, with 83 per cent of the 2,809 Key Stage 1 pupils achieving the expected grades.

While in Walsall, 3,253 completed the assessment, with 85 per cent achieving the expected grades.

In Birmingham, 82 per cent of the pupils achieved level 1 out of the 13,630 pupils who completed the test.

Dudley was one of the better performing local authorities, with 85 per cent achieving level 1 at Key Stage 1.

While in Staffordshire, 87 per cent of pupils achieved the expected grades. A total of 8,406 pupils took the assessments.

Schools minister Nick Gibb stressed the need for a greater focus and emphasis on the teaching of reading and writing in primary schools.

He said: "Getting the fundamentals right is crucial to a child's success in secondary education and throughout their adult life, and the Government is committed to getting all children reading and writing to a high standard.

The figures were released by the Department for Education.