YOUNGSTERS are falling behind in reading, writing and maths between the ages of seven and 11, according to new figures.

Assessments of primary school pupils in the county at age seven show they are performing at around the same level as their fellow pupils at other schools.

But the percentage of pupils making sufficient progress by the age of 11 is lower in Suffolk than in the rest of the country.

Three quarters of youngsters in Suffolk improve by two levels – the accepted standard of progress between age seven and 11 – in maths, compared to 82% across England and 80% regionally.

Meanwhile 77% of pupils make the expected level of progress in English, which is also lower than the national standard of 83% and the East of England’s 80%.

Suffolk County Councillor Graham Newman, portfolio holder for children and young people, said the county’s school structures were a large factor in the disparity.

He said: “Obviously the two-tier and three-tier system is an issue because it does take some time for children to catch up when they have had that move of school at nine years old.

“They’re being compared with children in the rest of the country who are at one school all the way through.”

But Graham White, Suffolk divisional secretary for the National Union of Teachers, said: “The NUT doesn’t accept the idea that we need a two-tier system. It’s about making sure the system that we have in place actually works and that teachers get the support they need.

“But we shouldn’t get too hung up on results and arbitrary levels of progress – although pupils need to do their very best – we need to be focusing on social skills and all the other aspects that go into a good education.”

Since the news that 11-year-olds are falling behind the rest of the country, with just 69% of children reaching level four in maths and English compared to 74% nationally according to figures released earlier this year, the East Anglian Daily Times has launched a project with the county council to deliver better reading and maths skills in Suffolk’s primary schools.

The gender gap also remains, with girls outstripping boys in reading and writing, although they perform roughly the same in maths and science.

This comes as the East Anglian Daily Times revealed there are seven times more women than men teaching in the county’s primary schools – and more than half have just one or no male teachers at all.

Mr White added: “I think the lack of male teachers may have some impact on results, although I don’t think it’s the only factor.

“Girls tend to have a slightly different outlook on school life and academic performance, and that narrows as they go through their education.”

Percentage making two levels of progress in English Percentage making two levels of progress in Maths

England 83 82

East of England 80 80

Suffolk 77 75