New figures show that more than two in five Suffolk pupils aged 7-11 failed to meet the expected writing, reading, and maths standards in 2023-24.
The big picture: While there has been some progress towards pre-pandemic attainment levels, challenges remain:
58% of Suffolk key stage two pupils met the expected standard, up from 56% last year but down from 62% in 2018-19, before the pandemic.
6% achieved a higher standard in the three compulsory SAT assessments.
Nationally, 61% of pupils met the requirements, slightly up from 60% last year but below the 65% pre-pandemic level.
Why it matters: Education leaders say insufficient funding, child poverty and staff shortages make it harder to close the attainment gap.
Disadvantaged pupils are disproportionately affected, with only 45% meeting standards nationally compared to 67% of other pupils.
The gap between poorer and wealthier areas remains significant across the country.
What they're saying:
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders: "We're gradually making progress towards returning to pre-pandemic attainment in SATs thanks to a great deal of hard work by staff in our primary schools. But this has been made more difficult by lack of sufficient government investment in education recovery, high levels of child poverty, staff shortages and inadequacy of school funding."
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT: "When families are struggling with insecure housing, and facing impossible budgeting decisions around eating and heating, this inevitably affects children's ability to attend school and focus and thrive in class."
The bottom line: The government says it's committed to tackling inequality and raising standards, with plans for free breakfast clubs, increased mental health support and a curriculum review.
