PRESS RELEASE

Monday, 31st October 2005

Growing Gender Gap in Primary Schools

According to recent test results, just 51% of 11-year-old boys reached the required levels in reading, writing, and maths, a 1% drop from 2004. When examined in the same three core subjects, 63% of girls were found to have achieved the required levels. In response to these results, the government has stated that it is committed to the improvement of boys’ performance and its policies.
More: http://education.guardian.co.uk/primaryeducation/story/0,11146,1605337,00.html

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

The complacency Ministers showed about primary school standards in last week's white paper is even more alarming in the light of these new figures. Eight years after pledging to make education its top priority this Government is still failing to equip young people, especially boys, with the basic skills they need. To turn around this woeful trend the Government should stop focusing on new school structures and concentrate on improving standards in the classroom.

ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
2. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm