Attainment at age 11

What does this graph show?

The assessment used here is the Key Stage 2 (KS2) examination for Maths and English. We look at the proportion of children who do not attain a basic level (Level 4, in this case) in both of the exams.

On average in 2009-10, 26% (or about 17,500) of all 11 year olds in London fell short of Level 4 in English and Maths and English at KS2. This is lower than the proportion in the rest of the country.

The proportion failing to achieve Level 4 in Inner London (27%) was higher than Outer London (25%), though the difference was quite small and the gap between the two was closing. Compared to 2007-08, Inner London saw a four percentage point drop in proportions failing to reach the appropriate level in 2009-10, while Outer London saw a drop of around two percentage points. The gap between the boroughs is also reducing.

At the borough level, Hackney had the highest proportion of children not achieving a basic level of Maths and English, with about a third of all 11 year olds failing to reach Level 4. This rate was double that in Richmond, the borough with the lowest proportion of students not achieving the level.

Hackney has though seen a fall in the proportion of children not attaining Key Stage 2 of six percentage points, as big a fall as any borough. Only 3 boroughs deteriorated.

Both Inner and Outer London improved at much faster rates than the rest of England. The proportion of children not attaining Level 4 Maths and English in England outside of London was no lower in 2009-10 than it was in 2007-08.

See also the difference that free school meal status or gender makes to attainment at 11.

Additional Information

These figures can change significantly from year-to-year. If for instance, a large school improves its results in a short space of time, or a poor performing school closes, the overall performance of its borough will improve. Also, given that this is based on the location of the school, not the residence of the pupil, moves across borough boundaries could affect results.

Data used

DFE 2007-09; National Pupil Database 2010.

To make comparisons over time, we combine two years' worth of results - 2007 to 2008 and 2009 to 2010.

Figures only include pupils attending state-funded schools.

Indicator last updated: 30 January 2012