Labour's Children's Services spokesperson, Coun. Dave Merrett, today welcomed the positive levels of educational attainment at key stage 2 level, whilst urging caution over some specific results. Key stage 2 SAT tests results were released yesterday, showing that in general York schools have performed well. Coun. Merrett said:

"I'm pleased to see the York schools have continued to do well, and the particularly excellent progress that has been made this year on reading and writing. The government continues to target these areas to ensure those pupils leaving primary schools move onto secondary schools with good standards in the core skills of reading and writing, and of course the main congratulations must go to schools and their pupils for their success here.

"I do have some concerns, however, with progress on maths and science. In maths, we have 2% fewer pupils achieving levels 4 and 5 than in the previous year. In science, we have 2% fewer pupils achieving level 5 than in 2006/7. The figures are provisional of course, but this drop should not be ignored".

Coun. Merrett said:

"York has historically done extremely well when compared nationally, but York's edge in maths and science appears to be slipping a bit against some of both York's previous years' results and against national figures. We must work to raise the bar again locally and make the challenge to improve results in maths and science.

"In saying this, I'd want to fully acknowledge the fine work carried out by everyone involved in getting pupils through their SATs as these are still good results, but I'm certain teachers would be the first to say they want to improve the results attained for York pupils.

"Maths and science are becoming ever more important - particularly given Science City's increasing role in the York economy. York's pupils therefore need to be given every support in this regard so as to give them the best chance of success as they move on towards adult life and eventually the jobs market".