Covid has set back Bolton's youngsters in their education as 'SATs' results are published.

The number of young people at the end of Key Stage One achieving the expected standard in assessments for reading, writing, maths, and science in state schools was down in the academic year 2021-22 when compared to the year before the Covid interrupted learning – 2018-19.

The latest Department for Education figures show 67 per cent of 4,020 year one and year two pupils in the borough achieved the expected standard in reading assessments last year – down from 73 per cent in 2018-19.

Writing fell from 68 per cent to 58 per cent across the same time period, and maths fell from 74 per cent to 69 per cent.

Attainment in science also fell from 80 per cent in 2018-19 to 74 per cent last year.

Every area in England with saw a fall in attainment in all four subjects.

READ MORE: Covid sees disadvantaged pupils fall further behind classmates

Cllr Anne Galloway, cabinet member for Children and Young People’s services, said: “It comes as no surprise that the progress and attainment of young children at Key Stage 1 has decreased following the pandemic. This group of children had the whole of their first years at primary school disrupted by the pandemic.

“Bolton’s primary schools were open throughout the pandemic, offering education to vulnerable children and children of key workers and they produced in a short time online resources which would help with home learning. 

The Department for Education says it has rolled out its education recovery programme to help children's learning following the pandemic.

A spokesperson said the programme includes nearly three million tutoring courses and £24m investment to boost literacy skills.

“The government has put funds into schools under the Covid catch up premium to support children from primary and secondary schools to catch up on the missed learning, which has been used by Bolton schools on tutoring and additional targeted support for those children who need the most help. 

“The work done by Bolton’s primary schools to develop the quality of the curriculum and the quality of the teaching for the youngest pupils is ongoing and is already producing good results.”

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