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Thousands of 14-year-olds falling behind in English
27.10.09
Almost 130,000 teenagers are failing to reach the standard expected of them in English, official figures showed today.
Fewer 14-year-olds are reaching Level 5 in the subject than in maths or science, according to statistics from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
The data reveals that almost 23 per cent of 14-year-olds, 129,400 in total, did not reach Level 5 in English, the standard expected of the age group.
In maths, 21 per cent — 118,500 pupils— did not reach Level 5, and in science, 128,600, or 22 per cent, also failed to achieve this standard.
Today's figures, for England only, are based on teacher assessments.
This is the first time 14-yearolds have been assessed solely this way, following the scrapping of Sats tests for the age group by Schools Secretary Ed Balls.
He abolished Sats in English, maths and science for 14-year-olds last autumn after the marking fiasco which left more than a million children awaiting results.
Today's statistics show the number getting Level 5 in English has risen by one per cent on last year, science by two per cent and maths stay the same.
Reader views (4)
It would help matters if our PC obsessed nitwits in
schools and local authorities stopped appeasing minorities
by producing forms and documents in 20 different languages.
English is our national tongue and all paperwork should be in English only. The French don't compromise, why
should we?
- Lb, Bromley
They cannot even reach the very poor standard that Labour set?
What a desperate state of affairs this country is in.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Thats the trouble when learning a second language.
- Squiz, Islington
I wonder if immigration status has anything to do with the end totals. English as a second language is NOT an easy subject, so it's not the fault of the immigrants - but it would highlight their numbers even if they were only a contributing factor to the overall stats.
- Rogan, Irving
