PRIMARY school pupils in Hampshire have achieved above-average marks in English, maths and science, but the publication of Key Stage 2 (KS2) scores has been criticised by a teaching union because of problems with “late and failed delivery of results to schools”.

This year’s results show that the percentage of the county’s 11-year-olds reaching the government’s expected standard of Level 4 and above was higher than the national average in the three core subjects.

According to statistics released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on Tuesday, 82% of pupils achieved Level 4 or above in English – compared to 81% nationally.

For maths, the figure was 79% (78% nationally), while the percentage achieving Level 4 or above in science was 90%, compared to 88% nationally.

At the higher grade of Level 5 or above, 31% of Hampshire’s 11-year-olds were successful in English, 33% in maths and 48% in science (compared to 29, 31 and 44% respectively at the national level).

The statistics also reveal that the total number of pupils achieving Level 4 or above in both English and maths was down one percentage point from 2007.

However, the DCSF said year-on-year comparisons had been affected by the removal from the marking process of “borderlining” (double-checking all test scripts with marks just below the benchmark level, but not above it, to see if they warranted any extra marks).

Girls were shown to fare better in English, boys have the jump in maths, while there was no significant gender divide in Hampshire’s science results.

"No confidence"

Pupils took the tests in May and the results had originally been due for publication in early July.

An independent inquiry headed by Lord Sutherland is continuing to investigate problems with this year’s testing process, including a delay in results actually being sent to schools.

The DCSF said that 99% of Key Stage 2 results were available by last Thursday.

But the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) responded at the time by saying: “The government’s decision to instruct the Department for Statistics to publish provisional KS2 results beggars belief, following the well publicised debacle surrounding late and failed delivery of results to schools.

“In his own letter to the Chair of the Select Committee, the Secretary of State Ed Balls concedes that the [marking] process has been flawed by inaccuracies.

“NAHT questions their judgement in issuing these ‘results’ prematurely, in the light of such uncertainty.

“NAHT members will continue to have absolutely no confidence or trust in the reliability of this year’s KS2 and KS3 test data.”

Mr Balls said the decision to release the results on Tuesday was taken by the Head of Profession for Statistics, who had himself sought wide-ranging advice before proceeding.

The publication of results is always provisional, pending factors including any appeals process and, in this case, the outcome of the Sutherland Inquiry.

Key Stage 3 results for 14-year-olds are due for publication next Tuesday (August 12).

"Hard work and dedication"

Commenting on the Hampshire results, Councillor David Kirk, executive member for children's services on the county council, said: "Congratulations to staff and pupils for these results.

"There has been much media publicity around the marking of this year's tests and we are concerned at the service some of our schools received.

"Many experienced delays in getting results back, as well as concerns over the marking of papers.

"I am pleased the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is allowing extra time for headteachers to challenge any results they are concerned about.

"However, I wouldn't want that controversy to overshadow the achievements of pupils and staff who have worked very hard during the school year.

"Hampshire schools continue to achieve results above the national average. The results are evidence of the hard work and dedication which goes on in the county's schools to ensure that children are well prepared for their future learning in the county's secondary schools."