Key stage 2

Pupils sit formal tests in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage two (KS2) (aged 11 years). These results are a key performance indicator for primary schools.

The figures are for 2024/25.

Key figures

• The proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard in Lancashire-12 (60%) was slightly lower than the North West (61%) and England (63%). 

• The Lancashire-12 performance has remained the same as the 2023/24 performance (60%).

• Ribble Valley and Fylde, (both 67%), Chorley and West Lancashire, (both 64%) had the largest greatest proportions of pupils achieving the expected standard. Attainment was lowest in Hyndburn (53%) and Burnley (54%).

• A smaller proportion of pupils achieved the expected standard in Blackpool (55%) compared to Blackburn with Darwen (63%).

• The proportion of free school meal (FSM) pupils reaching the expected standard in Lancashire-12 (43%) was lower that of non-FSM pupils (67%).

• Girls (63%) were generally performing better than boys (57%) in reading, writing and maths at KS2 in the Lancashire-12 area (England = 66% for girls and 59% for boys).

• The proportion of pupils with no special educational needs (SEN) who achieved the expected standard (71%) was considerably higher than SEN pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) (9%) and SEN pupils without an EHCP (22%) in Lancashire-12.

Overall attainment

Statistics published by the Department for Education indicates that within Lancashire-12, 60% of KS2 pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics. The Lancashire-12 proportion was slightly lower than the North West (61%) and England (63%) performance, as well as that of the neighbouring unitary authority Blackburn with Darwen (63%) performance, however it was higher than the Blackpool (55%) performance.

Lancashire-12 consistently improved at the end of KS2 until around 2017/18. After a short period of decline the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the measurement of performance for two years and when testing resumed in 2021/22 the proportion was at its lowest for 6 years. In the subsequent two years there has been a more steady improvement.

In this chart years 2019/20 and 2020/21 have been removed as no testing was done during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Department for Education (DfE)

While the proportions reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics are largely similar to the England average, there are some areas within Lancashire-12 where pupils' performance is lower.

The proportion reaching expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics in Fylde (67%), Ribble Valley (67%), Chorley (64%) and West Lancashire (64%) was higher than Lancashire-12 and above the regional and national comparators. In contrast, attainment was lower in Hyndburn (53%) and Burnley (54%). Performance was also lower in Blackpool (55%).

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 2024/25, the proportion of FSM pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of key stage 2 in Lancashire-12 (43%) was lower than that of non-FSM pupils (67%). The Lancashire-12 FSM pupil's rate was lower when compared with the Blackburn with Darwen (51%), England (48%), Blackpool (47%) and North West (46%) rates.

The Lancashire-12 non-FSM pupil performance (67%) 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 (+24 percentage points) than all the higher comparator areas.

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.

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 SEN too many barriers can stand in the way of the right education and support. In DfE figures, attainment figures includes pupils with SEN who either have an EHCP or receive SEN support but do not have an EHCP.

In Lancashire-12, the proportion of SEN pupils with an EHCP who reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at KS2 (9%) was considerably lower than non-SEND pupils (71%). These proportions were slightly lower than England, for both SEN pupils with an EHCP (9%) and non-SEN pupils (72%). The performance of Lancashire-12 SEND pupils is higher than Blackpool and the same as England, however it is also lower than that of the other comparator areas

The proportion of SEN pupils who receive SEN support but do not have an EHCP who reach the expected standard (22%) was also lower than non-SEN pupils in Lancashire-12. This proportion was lower than in England (29%)

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 KS2 results for recent years.

Page updated August 2026