More than one third of children will start secondary school in September without reaching the required standard in reading, writing and maths.
Exam results show that 61 per cent of pupils leaving primary school met the government standards in all three subjects – up slightly from 60 per cent last year.
Before the pandemic the figure was around 65 per cent.
The SATs tests were taken by children in Year Six this summer when most were aged 11. They experienced disruption to their learning during the pandemic, especially when they were in Years Two and Three of primary school.
Children in Year Six must take tests in reading, maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling. Their teachers assess their attainment in writing and science.
Today’s results show that in individual subjects attainment increased in reading, writing and science compared to last year, while attainment remained the same in maths and grammar, punctuation and spelling.
There were no tests in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
A spokeswoman for the campaign group More Than A Score said: “SATs fail all children, not just the 39 per cent who will start secondary school having been told they have not ‘reached the expected standard’.
“Parents, heads and teachers agree that SATs do not measure all that children can do and are damaging to mental health. With a new government now in place, it’s time to listen to those who know children and the primary school system the best.
“It’s time to replace SATs with forward- looking, fairer assessments which support children’s love of learning and effectively measure school performance.”
Tuesday’s results published by the Department for Education show that in reading, 74 per cent of pupils met the expected standard, up from 73 per cent in 2023.
In maths, 73 per cent met the expected standard, unchanged since 2023. In writing, 72 per cent met the expected standard, up from 71 per cent in 2023.
In grammar, punctuation and spelling, 72 per cent of pupils met the expected standard, unchanged since 2023.
Education minister, Catherine McKinnell said: “I know what a big moment it is for families and primary teachers across the country receiving SATs results today - thank you to all our wonderful teachers and staff who tirelessly supported children to prepare for the assessments earlier in the year.
“Despite the brilliance of our teachers, these figures show there are far too many pupils who are are not meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, and almost total stagnation in progress nationally over the past three years.
“This government will give teachers and families the support their efforts deserve and make sure every child leaves primary school with strong foundations for future learning.”
She added: “Education is at the heart of the change this government will deliver, breaking down the barriers to opportunity so we can improve the life chances of all our children.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Congratulations to schools, teachers, and pupils on this year’s Key Stage 2 test results.
“While the percentage of children meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined has increased since the pandemic, it remains lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This highlights the ongoing impact of the educational disruptions caused by Covid-19.”
He added: “The children who sat Key Stage 2 tests this year faced significant learning disruptions at the end of Year two and in Year three. Despite the tremendous efforts by schools to provide catch-up support, the learning loss experienced by some students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, wasconsiderable.
“This challenge has been further compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, which has severely affected the many children living in poverty.”
He added: “It is deeply regrettable that the previous government did not fully acknowledge this issue, both in terms of the inadequate post-pandemic education recovery funding and the decision to withdraw the National Tutoring Programme funding as of September.
“This is a step backward, and we strongly urge the new government to reconsider and restore this vital support.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “SATs place intense pressure on school communities. This pressure results in narrower curriculums and in teaching ‘to the test’. SATs prevent a rounded and engaging curriculum, and hinder learning.
"Designed for accountability, rather than to support good teaching and learning, SATs are not a useful or accurate way of assessing what children can do at the end of their primary education.
“Much work has been done already to develop alternatives to our current assessment system, including the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education (ICAPE) which provides policymakers with a long-term, workable vision for a better assessment system.”
He added: “We need a new approach that prioritises children’s learning and provides meaningful information to school staff and to parents. The new government must seize the opportunity to bring our assessment system into the 21st century, working with the profession to utilise their expertise and experience.
“Together, we can improve primary assessment so that the way we evaluate schools doesn’t narrow the curriculum on offer.
“The current approach squeezes out many enjoyable and vital aspects of primary school life, such as reading whole books, art activities and learning outdoors."
