How children of migrants are better at times tables

CHILDREN whose first language is not English have outperformed their peers in a new times tables test for eight and nine-year-olds.

The Department for Education (DfE) findings give weight to the theory that families from abroad are more motivated to achieve than those born in the UK.

Despite the language barrier, migrant pupils have repeatedly outperformed peers in a range of other education measures. Experts believe parents from other countries have a more positive attitude to education and a more aspirational outlook than British families.

The tests, taken in the summer, involved 25 times tables questions, up to 12 x 12, with six seconds to answer each one.

The average score for those with English as a first language was 19.4 out of 25, while the average score for pupils with a first language other than English was 21.2.

For all pupils, the overall average score was 19.8 out of 25. More than a quarter – 27 per cent – got full marks.

London was the highest-performing region in the country, with an average of 20.9. The South West of England was the lowest, with an average of 19.1. The DfE said it will provide teachers with standardised information from the tests to help identify pupils who might need extra support.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: ‘When I was at primary school, I was fortunate enough to have been taught my times tables, but for many children it was luck of the draw, depending on their school. It’s a skill I have used throughout my life, whether in international business or a trip to the supermarket, which is why we are making sure each and every child today is leaving school with those vital foundations.

‘The first-ever results for our new, national multiplications table check... provide a valuable benchmark for us to build from and help our brilliant teachers provide targeted support to the children who need it most.’