Early years foundation stage and phonics screening
Early years foundation stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) is a teacher assessment of children’s development at the end of the EYFS (the end of the academic year in which the child turns five). It should support a smooth transition to Key Stage 1 (KS1) by informing the professional dialogue between EYFS and KS1 teachers. This information should help Year 1 teachers plan an effective, responsive and appropriate curriculum that will meet the needs of all children. The Profile is also designed to inform parents or carers about their child’s development against the early learning goals.
Good level of development
Children achieving a good level of development are those achieving at least the expected level within the following areas of learning:
• communication and language
• physical development
• personal, social and emotional development
• literacy
• mathematics
Achieving at least the expected level across all early learning goals
Children achieving at least the expected level across all early learning goals (ELGs) are those achieving ‘expected’ or ‘exceeded’ in all 17 ELGs.
Average total point score
Children have their performance measured across all 17 ELGs. The following point scoring is awarded:
• emerging – 1 point
• expected – 2 points
• exceeding – 3 points
The 2021/22 EYFS reforms were introduced in September 2021. As part of those reforms, the EYFS profile was significantly revised. It is therefore not possible to directly compare 2021/22 and subsequent assessment outcomes with earlier years.
Results for the Lancashire-12 area
In 2023/24, 64.8% of Lancashire-12 children achieved a good level of development. This was lower than England (67.7%) but above the averages for the North West (64.4%) and neighbouring unitary authorities (Blackpool 63.2% and Blackburn with Darwen 64.4%). More Lancashire-12 girls achieved a good level of development; 72.3% girls compared with 56.9% boys.
The average score for Lancashire-12 achieved on the EYFSP was 13.7 points. This was lower than that of England (14.1) but the same as the North West (13.7) and higher than the neighbouring unitary authorities (Blackburn with Darwen 13.4 and Blackpool 13.3).
Below is the summary of the percentage of children achieving at least the expected level within each area of learning for Lancashire-12 and its comparators, with Lancashire-12 generally leading the way when compared to regional and neighbouring unitary authorities performance. Lancashire-12 performance deteriorated for each area of learning listed below compared to that in the previous year but improved for the indicator measuring all early learning goals and is currently ranked second in most areas of development except physical development (81.9%) and expressive arts and design (81.7%) which are ranked third and fourth respectively. England ranked first in all areas of development and the North West ranked third in most areas except physical development (82.4%) which is ranked second and personal, social and emotional development (80.7%) which is ranked fifth. Blackpool ranked fifth in most areas except physical development (81.1%) which is ranked fourth, personal, social and emotional development (80.8%) which is ranked joint third with Blackburn with Darwen and expressive arts and design (82.3%) which is ranked second, and Blackburn with Darwen ranked fourth in most areas except personal, social and emotional development (80.8%) which is ranked joint third, physical development (80.1%) which is ranked fifth and expressive arts and design (78.7%) which is ranked fifth.
Table 1, Percentage of children achieving a good level of development and at least the expected level within each area of learning plus average score, Lancashire and unitary authorities compared to England and region, 2023/24.
| Lancashire-12 area | Blackburn with Darwen | Blackpool | North West | England | |
| Good level of development | 64.8% | 64.4% | 63.2% | 64.4% | 67.7% |
| Overall (all 17 ELGs) | 63.1% | 62.0% | 61.7% | 62.7% | 66.2% |
| Average score | 13.7 | 13.4 | 13.3 | 13.7 | 14.1 |
| Communications and language | 76.8% | 74.5% | 73.2% | 76.6% | 79.3% |
| Physical development | 81.9% | 80.1% | 81.1% | 82.4% | 84.8% |
| Personal, social and emotional development | 81.0% | 80.8% | 80.8% | 80.7% | 82.9% |
| Literacy | 67.3% | 66.6% | 64.9% | 66.9% | 70.7% |
| Mathematics | 75.1% | 73.1% | 71.2% | 74.3% | 77.0% |
| Understanding the world | 78.3% | 74.1% | 72.5% | 77.2% | 80.0% |
| Expressive arts and design | 81.7% | 78.7% | 82.3% | 81.9% | 84.7% |
Source: Local Authority Interactive Tool (GOV.UK)
Please click here to view the Department for Education's early years foundation stage profiles for recent years.
Phonics Screening
KS1 assessments became non-statutory from the 2023/24 academic year onwards. Optional assessments will still be offered, but these statistics will not be published in 2023/24. Pupils take the phonics screening check at the end of year 1, typically aged 6. Pupils who do not meet the expected standard take the check again at the end of year 2, typically aged 7.
In 2024, the methodology for identifying eligible pupils taking the phonics screening check at the end of year 2 has changed and is no longer directly comparable to previous years. This is because the previous methodology used key stage 1 data that is no longer available as the tests are now non-statutory.
Results for the Lancashire-12 area
The phonics screening check is a statutory assessment for year 1 pupils (typically aged 6) that confirms whether they have met the expected standard in phonic decoding. All state-funded schools with a year 1 cohort must administer the check. Pupils who do not meet the standard in year 1 or were not checked, must take part in the check at the end of year 2 (typically aged 7). Teachers administer the check one-on-one with each pupil and record whether their response to each of the 40 words is correct. Each pupil is awarded a mark between 0 and 40.
Statistics published by the Department for Education indicates that within Lancashire-12, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in Phonics Decoding. The Lancashire-12 proportion was lower than the North West (79%) and England (80%) performance, as well as that of the neighbouring unitary authorities Blackburn with Darwen (79%) and Blackpool (80%). The Lancashire-12 performance has increased from the 2022/23 performance (77%). Lancashire-12 is positioned in the fourth quartile nationally against this indicator and ranked 117 out of 153 Authorities.
Table 2, Percentage of pupils achieving expected standard, Lancashire and unitary authorities compared to England and region 2023/24.
|
Area |
Eligible pupils |
Pupils reaching the expected standard |
Percentage reaching the expected standard |
|
Lancashire-12 |
13,401 |
10,479 |
78% |
|
Blackburn with Darwen |
2,038 |
1,615 |
79% |
|
Blackpool |
1,632 |
1,298 |
80% |
|
Lancashire-14 |
17,071 |
13,392 |
78% |
|
North West |
84,880 |
66,990 |
79% |
|
England |
622,901 |
499,790 |
80% |
Source: DfE, Phonics Decoding local authority tables: LAIT, October 2024
Other Phonics Decoding facts for Lancashire-12 during the 2023/24 academic year:
• A higher percentage of pupils whose first language is English achieved the expected standard than pupils for whom English is not their first language.
• Girls continued to outperform boys at the expected standard.
• Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals continued to perform lower than other pupils.
• Performance of pupils with no identified special educational needs or disability (SEND) was higher than SEND pupils.
Please click here to view the Department for Education's Phonics Screening results for recent years.
Page updated June 2025