Pupils behind in key subjects

Rochdale borough’s seven-year-olds are lagging behind at school.

New figures show that 82 per cent of them reached the expected standard for their age in reading and 78 per cent in writing.

And the figures of 87 per cent in maths and 85 per cent in science are the third and second worst in the North West behind Manchester.

The results are based on teacher assessments after tests for seven years olds were scrapped.

Nationally writing results improved by one percentage point to 81 per cent while maths results dropped one point to 89 per cent. Reading and science results remained the same at 84 and 89 per cent respectively.

Girls outperformed boys in every subject, with the biggest gulf in writing.

Sue Brown, Head of Schools Service, at Rochdale Borough Council said: "Results at Level 2+ are generally very pleasing. This year we see improved attainment in reading and writing. Performance in mathematics has been maintained. We are not complacent however and recognise at higher levels more work is needed to improve."