\u200b\u200bEngland participates in several studies that compare reading and mathematics for school-aged pupils internationally. These studies are the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The department took part in the most recent iterations of all three studies: PISA 2022, PIRLS 2021, and TIMSS 2019.<\/p>
\u200b\u200bThe latest results from PISA show that, while the pandemic affected the study, England was among the highest performing European countries participating in the study and performed significantly above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average in both reading and mathematics.<\/p>
\u200b\u200bThe latest results from PIRLS showed that England achieved an average score of 558. This is statistically significantly higher than both the International Median score of 520, as well as the European Median score of 524, though not significantly different to England\u2019s scores in most previous PIRLS cycles. It is not possible to compare results to Northern Ireland because of differences in the assessment period, whilst Scotland and Wales did not participate in the study. England\u2019s PIRLS 2021 national report can be found: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pirls-2021-reading-literacy-performance-in-england<\/a>.<\/p> \u200b\u200bThe latest results from TIMSS showed that between 1995 and 2019, the mathematics performance of Year 5 and Year 9 pupils in England has improved, with England achieving its highest ever score in mathematics at Year 5.<\/p> \u200b\u200bFurther information on the studies can be found at the following links: https://www.oecd.org/pisa/<\/a>, https://timssandpirls.bc.edu/<\/a>.<\/p> \u200b<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-25T11:00:41.22Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Literacy and Numeracy: EU Countries"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative estimate she has made of levels of (a) literacy and (b) numeracy with European countries in the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"}
], "uin" : "10737"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683426", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683426/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Regular attendance at school is vital for children\u2019s education, wellbeing and long-term development. School attendance is mandatory and parents have a duty, under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, to ensure that their child of compulsory age, from 5 to 16 years old, receives an efficient full-time education.<\/p> <\/p> During their time in school, pupils should be able to benefit from a range of work experience placements as part of the wider curriculum. The careers statutory guidance makes it clear that schools and colleges should offer every pupil at least one experience of a workplace by age 16 and a further experience by age 18 through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience, in line with Gatsby Benchmark 6. This provides pupils with multiple opportunities to learn from different employers about work and the skills that are valued in the workplace.<\/p> <\/p> Where a pupil is not attending school regularly, the department expects schools and local authorities to consider the individual circumstances of each pupil and family, and take the best course of action to support the child\u2019s return to school. The department would encourage parents to work with their child\u2019s school and the local authority to discuss the reasons behind their absence and together agree a plan so that the right support can be put in place to help the child return to regular and consistent education.<\/p> <\/p> Ultimately, the local authority has the duty, under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, to provide education for compulsory aged children. Vocational placements, as part of an alternative provision offer, can provide a valuable \u2018hook\u2019 back into learning, as well as providing essential life skills for some of our most disengaged learners.<\/p> <\/p> At post-16, pupils have access to a range of work placement opportunities. Thousands of young people have benefited from world-class T Levels, all of which include a meaningful industry placement with an employer of at least 45 days.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-01-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-01-26T12:20:32.477Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-01-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Young People: Work Experience"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing young adults who are not engaging with school to attend placements with employers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4471", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachael Maskell"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "York Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Rachael Maskell"}
], "uin" : "10486"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683478", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1683478/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " A pupil is classified as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of their own possible sessions. A pupil is classified as severely absent if they miss 50% or more of their possible sessions.<\/p> <\/p> This table shows the numbers and rates of persistently absent and severely absent pupils in Blackpool North and Cleveleys parliamentary constituency by Special Educational Need (SEN) status for the latest full academic year available, 2021/22.<\/p>