Norfolk children achieve record reading results

Children in Norfolk have achieved record results in reading – with the county moving ahead of the national average for the first time.

Key stage one results, published this week, show that 91pc of seven-year-olds achieved the expected level two or above in reading – up from 89pc in 2014 and above the national average of 90pc.

In writing and maths, Norfolk was in line with the national average with 88pc achieving at least level two in writing and 93pc in maths.

Meanwhile reading performance for younger children in the county also showed improvement, with Norfolk narrowing the gap on the national average.

James Joyce, chairman of Norfolk County Council's children's services committee, said: 'Excellence in education is our priority and today's results show that Norfolk's infant aged children are beginning to make gains on their peers nationally, surpassing them in reading in key stage one.

'Getting early education right is crucial because results at five, six and seven give a good indication of how children will go on to achieve later in their education. Reading is particularly vital because it unlocks the rest of the curriculum for children, as well as providing a huge amount of joy.

'Whilst it is encouraging to go ahead of the national average on this measure and to be in line with the national average for writing and maths for seven-year-olds, there is still much to do if we are to collectively ensure that all of Norfolk's children are reaching their potential.

Seventy-three percent of children aged six passed the phonics check this year, a four percentage point improvement on last year's 69pc. Nationally, 77pc passed the check, up from 74pc last year.

The results follow significant improvements in the achievements of the county's five-year-olds this summer, with a record proportion of children (65%) achieving 'a good level of development' at the end of the reception year.