A HIGHER percentage of Hampshire’s primary school children have met the expected standards in their SATs than their peers nationally, according to provisional results.

The results of the Key Stage 2 SATs, taken by children in their final year of primary education in May, show that 68 per cent of Hampshire’s primary school children met the required standards for reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 64 per cent nationally.

This performance is also an improvement on last year, representing a two per cent increase compared to Hampshire’s results for 2017.

The figures were published by the Department for Education on July 10.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education and skills, human resources and performance, Councillor Stephen Reid, said: “This is excellent news and the results are those I would expect in a county where over 90 per cent of schools are rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

“Those who took their SATs in May are clearly doing very well and should be proud of their achievements. Thanks and congratulations should also go to their teachers for all the hard work that they put in to ensure children learn and achieve. Well done to all the children and also to their parents and carers who supported them.”

In the individual tests, the percentage of Hampshire children who achieved the expected level was higher than the national average in each subject area:

•Reading: 78 per cent versus 75 per cent nationally (and 76 per cent for Hampshire in 2017)

•Writing: 82 per cent versus 78 per cent nationally (and 81 per cent for Hampshire in 2017

•Mathematics: 78 per cent compared with 76 per cent nationally (and 77 per cent for Hampshire in 2017)