Attainment at age 11 by region

The proportion of 11-year-olds not reaching Level 4 at Key Stage 2, over time

This section looks at 11 years olds not attaining Level 4 in their Key Stage 2 tests, averaged across results for Maths and English. Level 4 is the level a pupil is expected to have reached in their final year of primary school.

What does this graph show?

The graph above shows the proportion of 11-year-olds not reaching Level 4 at Key Stage 2 (KS2) coming down in all regions of the country, especially in Inner London. In 1999, 38% of children in Inner London did not reach Level 4. By 2007, the figure was 24%.

As a result of this rapid improvement, the gap between Inner London and elsewhere has narrowed considerably since the start of the decade. In 1999, the proportion of children not reaching Level 4 at KS2 in Inner London was 5% higher than the second worst region. By 2007, the gap between Inner London and the best region was lower than this at just 4%.

With 20% of its 11-year-olds not reaching Level 4 at KS2, Outer London is almost level with the best region. This proportion has decreased sharply from 30% since 1999. The overall figure for London is now 22%.

Find out how different boroughs compare on this measure here.

Find out how attainment at age 11 is affected by whether pupils are eligible for free school meals here.

Data used

DCSF Performance Tables

Figures only include pupils attending state-funded schools.

Indicator last updated: 18 May 2009

Other indicators in Children

• Child poverty
• Poverty in Inner and Outer London
• In-work poverty across England
• Children in households receiving out-of-work benefits
• Child ill health
• Infant deaths by borough
• Attainment at age 11 by borough
• Free school meals and attainment at age 11
• Households in temporary accommodation
• Underage conception by borough
• Children in workless households over time
• Children in workless households by type
• In-work poverty over time

View all indicators