State school kids fall further behind in reading, writing and maths after Covid lockdown

STRUGGLING kids have fallen even further behind in reading, writing and maths as the stark impact of the pandemic is laid bare.

Shock new stats reveal standards among pupils leaving primary school fell a whopping 50 per cent faster in state schools compared to private ones, as pupils battle to catch up on missed learning.

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New stats reveal a need to call on ministers to address the huge gap between state schools and private schools[/caption]

The proportion of Year 6 pupils who reached the ‘higher’ standard in reading, writing and maths has plummeted since 2019, Labour analysis reveals.

In state schools the numbers reaching the targets dropped from 11 to seven per cent, but in private schools it has fallen from just 13 to 12 per cent.

MPs call on ministers to address the huge gap between fee-paying posh schools and private schools.

Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said: last night: “The widening gulf between state and private schools in the wake of the pandemic shows the extent of the Conservatives’ failure to support children’s recovery.

“The Prime Minister needs to show he cares about state school pupils by taking every action to narrow the growing divide between private and state school pupils.

“Rishi Sunak could start by following Labour’s lead and end tax breaks for private schools to fund a brilliant state education for every child.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said: “We recognise that pupils have missed a critical period of their education due to the pandemic which is why we are investing nearly £5 billion in education recovery support for young people right across the country.

“This includes the sustained recovery premium funding, which has doubled in secondary schools this year and will be targeted at supporting disadvantaged pupils.

“Thanks to the hard work of teachers – and with over two million high quality tutoring courses already started through the National Tutoring Programme – young people are getting back on track, and schools should continue to work with parents to make them aware of the additional support on offer.”