Key stage 2

Pupils sit formal tests in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage two (KS2) (aged 11 years). The figures in this article relate to the numbers and proportions achieving the expected standards in these three subjects. These results are a key performance indicator for primary schools. The 2016 key stage 2 (KS2) assessments were the first which assess the new, more challenging national curriculum which was introduced in 2014. The expected standard has also been raised to be higher than the old level 4. As a result, figures from 2016 onwards are not comparable to those for earlier years. The Department for Education also publish more detailed results for the three subjects separately and for pupils achieving a higher standard.

Key findings for the Lancashire-14 area

• The Lancashire-12 (57%) proportion achieving the expected standard was lower than the North West (58%) and England (59%) performance, as well as that of the neighbouring unitary authority Blackburn with Darwen (60%). However, it was higher than Blackpool (56%). The Lancashire-12 performance has dropped from the 2018/19 performance, which was 64%
• The proportions in Ribble Valley, Chorley and Fylde (all 63%) and Wyre and Blackburn with Darwen (both 60%) were above the county, regional and national comparators. Attainment in areas with higher levels of deprivation was lower generally and was particularly low in Burnley (47%) and Hyndburn (51%)
• The proportion of FSM pupils in Lancashire-12 reaching the expected standard (38%) was lower than that of non-FSM pupils (63%)
• A higher proportion of girls (61%) reach the expected standard than boys (53%) in the Lancashire-12 area
• The proportion of pupils with a statement or EHC plan  (3%) performed significantly lower than non-SEND pupils (66%), with a percentage point gap of -63.

Results for the Lancashire-12 area, year 2021/22

Statistics published by the Department for Education indicates that within Lancashire-12, 57% of KS2 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics. The Lancashire-12 proportion was lower than the North West (58%) and England (59%) performance, as well as that of the neighbouring unitary authority Blackburn with Darwen (60%). However, it was higher than Blackpool (56%). The Lancashire-12 performance has dropped from the 2018/19 performance, which was 64%. Lancashire-12 is positioned in the third quartile nationally against this indicator and ranked 95 out of 150 Authorities.

Analysis of the results by Lancashire-12 districts (table 1) shows the attainment of pupils at the end of key stage 2 was higher in areas with low levels of deprivation. The proportions reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics in Ribble Valley, Chorley and Fylde (all 63%) and Wyre (60%) were higher than Lancashire-12 and above the regional and national comparators. Attainment in areas with higher levels of deprivation was lower generally and particularly low in Burnley (47%) and Hyndburn (51%).

Table 1: Key stage 2 headline indicator, 2021/22 by area of school location (table scrolls to right)

(*): of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics

Source: Department for Education (DfE)

Attainment and free school meals 

The link between educational attainment and deprivation is also evident in the results achieved by pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM). Eligibility for FSM indicates that a pupil is from a low income background. The provision of free school meals has traditionally been a reliable indicator of the extent and degree of child poverty in the United Kingdom. 

During 2021/22, the proportion of FSM pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 in Lancashire-12 (38%) was lower than that of non-FSM pupils (63%). The Lancashire-12 FSM pupil's rate was lower when compared with the North West (41%), England (42%), Blackburn with Darwen (43%) and Blackpool (48%) rates.

The Lancashire-12 non-FSM pupil performance (63%) was higher than that of Blackpool and was slightly lower than that of the other comparator areas.

The percentage gap between FSM and non-FSM was wider for Lancashire-12 (+25 percentage points) than all the other comparator areas.

Table 2: Proportion reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 by FSM eligibility, 2021/22

Area	Lancashire-12	Blackburn with Darwen	Blackpool	Lancashire-14	North West	England
FSM (%)	38%	43%	48%	40%	41%	42%
Non-FSM (%)	63%	65%	61%	63%	64%	64%
Gap (pp)	25	22	13	23	23	22

Source: Department for Education (DfE)

Attainment and gender

There are also significant differences in attainment according to gender. Table 3 shows that Lancashire-12 follows a regional and national pattern with girls generally performing better than boys in reading, writing and maths at KS2.

Table 3: Proportion reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 by gender, 2021/22

Area	Lancashire-12	Blackburn with Darwen	Blackpool	Lancashire-14	North West	England
Boys	53%	55%	50%	53%	59%	59%
Girls	61%	65%	60%	62%	59%	58%

Source: Department for Education (DfE)

Attainment and special educational needs

Education is a key to a more fulfilling future for children, but for those with special educational needs (SEN) too many barriers can stand in the way of the right education and support. In 2021/22 at KS2, the attainment gap remained within Lancashire-12 with the proportion of pupils with a statement or EHC plan reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 (3%) significantly lower than non-SEND pupils (66%), with a percentage point gap of -63. The performance of Lancashire-12 SEND pupils is lower than that of the other comparator areas.

Table 4: Proportion reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 by SEND, 2021/22

Area	Lancashire-12	Blackburn with Darwen	Blackpool	Lancashire-14	North West	England
Pupils with no identified SEN	66%	71%	67%	67%	68%	69%
SEN with a statement or EHC plan	3%	9%	4%	4%	6%	7%

Source: Department for Education (DfE)

Children and young people dashboard

The children and young people dashboard created as part of the Neighbourhood JSNA, now includes district and ward level data for KS2/ KS4/ Pupil Absence/ Exclusions/ NEET. This resource can be accessed here.

The Department for Education website provides statistics on key stage 2 results for recent years.

Page updated May 2023