HC Deb 23 November 2000 vol 357 cc302-3W
29. Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the numeracy and literacy hours in primary schools. [138391]

Ms Estelle Morris

This year's Key Stage 2 results show that the literacy and numeracy strategies are raising standards. 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English, a 10 percentage point increase since 1998, and 72 per cent. in mathematics, a 13 Percentage point increase. Ofsted confirm that the strategies are resulting inbetter teaching and better achievement in English and mathematics and that this more structured teaching is having a positive effect in other curriculum areas".

Mr. Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of the literacy hour and numeracy period on academic achievement. [139049]

Ms Estelle Morris

This year's Key Stage 2 test results show that the literacy and numeracy strategies are raising standards. 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English, a 10 percentage point increase since 1998, and 72 per cent. in mathematics, a 13 percentage point increase. The results also show that the strategies are narrowing the achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged LEAs. In English, no LEA is now achieving below 60 per cent., while in 1996, the average LEA achieved only 57 per cent. Ofsted confirm that the strategies are resulting inbetter teaching and better achievement in English and mathematics and that this more structured teaching is having a positive effect in other curriculum areas such as science".