BRADFORD has failed to close the gap on how its primary school aged children perform compared to the national average, new figures have revealed.

Although results for children under 11 in the district have improved in many areas, national improvements means Bradford children are still seen as lagging behind.

A new report into how Bradford children performed between nursery age and leaving primary school will be discussed by councillors tomorrow.

Early figures of last year’s performance show that the proportion of pupils achieving a “good level of development” by the end of the reception reduced last year, down from 68 per cent to 67 per cent. With national results rising, it means that the gap between Bradford and nationally is now five per cent.

At Key Stage 1 (ages five to seven) the proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard has increased by one per cent in writing (up to 67 per cent), remained the same in maths (73 per cent) and decreased by one per cent in reading (down to 71 per cent).

It means that in reading the gap between Bradford and the national average has remained at four per cent. In writing and maths, the gap has increased by one percentage point to three per cent.

At that age girls outperformed boys in all three subject areas, with the largest difference being in writing where there was a gap of 14 percentage points between the genders.

At Key Stage 2 - when pupils finish primary school, the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined increased by three per cent. In that same period the national figure also rose by three per cent, meaning the gap between Bradford and the national figure remains at four per cent.

By the end of primary school, girls were still outperforming boys in all three subject areas (reading, writing, maths). The largest difference in attainment by gender remains writing, with a gap of 14 percentage points remaining.

The Provisional Educational Standards Report 2018 will be discussed by members of Bradford Council’s Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee tomorrow.

It says: “The proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard across the range of subjects and age groups within the Primary Phase have continued to rise.

“However, the improvements are not sufficient to reduce the gaps against the indicative national averages.”

The committee meets in City Hall at 4.30pm.