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Results 'show backwards step' for pupils in English and maths
12 March 2010
Many children are failing to make the academic progress expected of them following primary school results, new figures have revealed.
Statistics published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families show approximately 200,000 pupils in England failed to achieve the grades forecast for them following primary school assessments when they later sat exams aged 16.
Shadow Minister of State for Schools Nick Gibb MP commented: "We need more teaching by ability so that gifted children can be stretched and those who require more help can get the specialist attention they need."
A breakdown of the figures revealed that approximately 40 per cent of all pupils aged 16 failed to make the progress expected of them in maths following primary school results, while one-third fell short of their forecast benchmark in English.
Mr Gibb has been the Conservative representative for the constituency of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton since 1997.
He served as Shadow Minister for Education before being moved to his present role.