Fewer make the grade in maths

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The Government set a target for 85% of 14-year-olds to pass their national tests in English and maths at Level 5, the standard expected of the age group, by 2007.

But only 74% of pupils made the grade in their English "Sats" tests this year - the same proportion as in 2005. And just 76% did so in maths, a drop of one point since last year.

In their writing tests, 73% of 14-year-olds in England reached Level 5. This represented a 3% fall since 2006.

The Government played down the decline. But shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said the maths figures were "deeply worrying".

"With English results back to where they were two years ago, it is clear there is a serious problem," he said. "The results confirm Ofsted's view that half of secondary schools are performing at a level that is 'not good enough'.

"The Government's response to these results is therefore complacent. Frankly the Government is too easy on itself."

Mr Gibb called for "a rigorous focus on raising standards of behaviour" in secondary schools and demanded that pupils be placed in ability sets in all academic subjects.

Schools Minister Jim Knight stressed the trend since 1997 was for rising standards. "Whilst I'm disappointed to see a drop in maths and writing, it's important to put this into context," he said.

"The overall trend remains upwards and there have been dips in the past that have been quickly reversed. I'm particularly pleased to see a six percentage point improvement in reading for boys. "