HC Deb 19 September 2003 vol 410 cc1138-9W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Literacy Strategy on literacy skills among primary school pupils in(a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire. [129884]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The National Literacy Strategy has transformed standards of literacy in our primary schools. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998.

The results in Buckinghamshire LEA show that in 1998 73 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English at Key Stage 2. In 2003 the figure was 80 per cent. We are unable to disaggregate results for schools in Chesham and Amersham.

Mr. Alan Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the National Literacy Strategy on literacy skills amongst primary school children in Tynemouth constituency. [130388]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The National Literacy Strategy has transformed standards of literacy in our primary schools. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in the 2003 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998.

The improvement in literacy standards of pupils in North Tyneside LEA has been greater than the national improvement. In 1998, 65 per cent. of pupils achieved level 4 or above in English at Key Stage 2. In 2003 the figure was 77 per cent. We are unable to disaggregate results for Tynemouth schools.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the representations made by his Department to the Centre for British Teachers regarding the management and delivery of the primary(a) literacy and (b) numeracy strategies in the last three years. [131341]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The Department for Education and Skills has a close working relationship with CfBT Education Services and is in daily communication with its representatives regarding the management and delivery of the primary literacy and numeracy strategies.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes his Department plans to make to the management and delivery of the primary(a) literacy and (b) numeracy strategies. [131343]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

The separate professional teams responsible for the delivery of the national literacy and numeracy strategies within the contract between the Department and CfBT Education Services have been brought together this year under the leadership of a new Director of the Primary Strategy. The Primary Strategy force has a central role in delivering the Government's commitments set out in "Excellence and Enjoyment".