Percentage of children and adolescents achieving at least the expected proficiency level in English and Mathematics at ages 7, 11 and 16

Note that while headline data and the breakdown by sex are for all schools, the breakdowns by all other characteristics (such as special educational needs or region) are only for state schools. For age 16 proficiency, ‘achieving grade 4 or above’ is used as it is the expected standard for students in that age group.

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No headline data available

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.

Indicator available

Percentage of children and adolescents achieving at least the expected proficiency level in English and Mathematics at ages 7, 11 and 16

Indicator description
Geographical coverage

England

Unit of measurement

Percentage (%)

Definitions

At age 7, schools are categorised into infant schools (those with highest statutory pupil age of 7), primary schools (those with highest statutory pupil age between 8 and 11) and other schools (those with highest statutory pupil age greater than 11). At age 11, schools are categorised into primary schools (those with lowest statutory age below 7 and highest statutory age of 11), junior schools (those with lowest statutory age of 7 or above and highest statutory age of 11) and other schools (those with highest statutory age greater than 11 - this category includes middle and all-through schools. For age 16, minimum proficiency is defined for the purpose of this indicator as achieving a grade 4 or above.

Available disaggregations
Calculations

No calculations were performed in the data acquisition of this indicator as appropriate data was readily available in the final format specified by this indicator. For insight into the details of potential calculations please refer to the original source metadata or source contact.

Other information

For ages 7 and 11, figures before 2016 are not comparable to figures from 2016 onwards due to a change in assesments.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department for Education has cancelled the 2019/20 national curriculum assessments (KS1 & KS2) and associated data collections. Furthermore, the summer exams were cancelled in 2020. Pupils scheduled to sit GCSE and A/AS level exams in 2020 were awarded either a centre assessment grade or their calculated grade using a model developed by Ofqual. The new method of awarding grades has led to a set of pupil attainment statistics that are unlike previous years. As a result the 2019/20 data should not be directly compared to attainment data from previous years for the purposes of measuring changes in student performance and, therefore, are not presented on this graph. For more information please visit DfE KS4 2019/20

This indicator is being used as an approximation of the UN SDG Indicator. Where possible, we will work to identify or develop UK data to meet the global indicator specification. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts.

Data last updated 22 November 2021
Metadata last updated 11 February 2022

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name

Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex

Target name

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

Global indicator description
UN designated tier

Tier I

UN custodian agency

UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Link to UN metadata United Nations Sustainable Development Goals metadata for target 4.1 opens in a new window

Source 1

Organisation

Department for Education (DfE)

Periodicity

Annual

Earliest available data

2016

Geographical coverage

England

Link to data source Key Stage 1 Statistics opens in a new window
Release date 20 December 2019
Next release

TBA

Statistical classification

National Statistic

Contact details

primary.attainment@education.gov.uk

Other information

Attainment at age 7 (Key Stage 1) is based on teacher assessments. Judgements made in 2019 are not directly comparable to those made in previous years due to changes made within the 2018/19 teacher assessment frameworks.

Source 2

Organisation

Department for Education (DfE)

Periodicity

Annual

Earliest available data

2016

Geographical coverage

England

Link to data source Key Stage 2 Statistics opens in a new window
Release date 13 December 2019
Next release

TBA

Statistical classification

National Statistic

Contact details

primary.attainment@education.gov.uk

Other information

Source 3

Organisation

Department for Education (DfE)

Periodicity

Annual

Earliest available data

2017

Geographical coverage

England

Link to data source Key Stage 4 performance 2019 Subject Time Series tables opens in a new window
Release date 06 February 2020
Next release

TBA

Statistical classification

National Statistic

Contact details

Attainment.STATISTICS@education.gov.uk

Other information

Prior to the 2018/19 academic year, data is for the ‘English’ subject. For the 2018/19 academic year data is for the subject ‘English Language’. 2019 data for age 7 (KS1) reading and maths are not comparable to 2018 due to changes to the teacher assessment framework.

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