Black children closing achievement gap

Black children are still achieving less than their white counterparts, Key Stage 2 test results show, although the gap is continuing to narrow.

In maths, 66 per cent of black pupils attained expected levels compared to the national average of 77 per cent.

Bangladeshi and Pakistani pupils achieved slightly less than average, whilst the smaller ethnic groups of Irish and Gyspy or Romany children performed even less well, with roughly 33 per cent reaching expected levels for English, against around 75 per cent for white British children.

Children with special educational needs and those receiving free school meals also did less well in Key Stage 2.

But children from Chinese and Indian backgrounds scored higher than the national average, particularly in reading and writing.

Girls also continued to outperform boys across the board.

Read the statistics