§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received on this year's Key Stage 3 tests in English, Maths and Science; and if he will make a statement; [61001]
(2) what representations he has received on the percentage increases in the achievement of levels 6 and 7 in English in 14 year olds and over since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [61002]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisForty letters have been received about Key Stage 3 English, mathematics and science; no letters have been received specifically about the percentage increase in the overall attainment in levels 6 61W and 7 in Key Stage 3 English since 1997 and 1998. Pupils and teachers are congratulated on the improvement in English performance this year. The mathematics and science results demonstrate the need to maintain our focus on raising levels of attainment. The Government are fully committed to raising standards in schools. This is why we have asked schools to set themselves challenging targets for pupil attainment, and why we are investing an additional £16 billion in education in England over the next three years.