Top marks in Key Stage 2 assessments

Kent schoolchildren are performing better than the national average, according to statistics.

Pupils in Kent primary schools have achieved higher results than the national average for the Key Stage 2 testing system in reading, writing and maths.

Figures showed 58% of pupils in the county achieved the expected standard in the combined reading, writing and maths assessments, compared with the national rate of 53%.

Overall in Kent, 69% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, compared with 66% nationally, while 80% of pupils in Kent managed the requirement in writing, compared with 74% nationally. In mathematics, 71% of the county’s pupils gained anticipated grades, compared with 70% nationally.

This year’s results are the first to be released following the introduction of a more challenging curriculum in 2014 that raised the bar in terms of expectations of young people’s mastery of literacy and numeracy by the age of 10 or 11.

The Department for Education said the outcomes could not be compared with previous results as the tests are very different to previous assessments.

Roger Gough, Kent County Council cabinet member for education said: “It is good that Kent pupils have achieved such good results compared with the national average.”