13,000 London seven-year-olds can't read well

One in six children in London cannot read properly after three years of school, new figures show today.

More than 13,000 seven-year-olds in the capital failed to pass reading tests, meaning their reading age is no better than that of a five-year-old.

Results for writing were worse, with almost 17,000 unable to write to the required standard.

Today's figures, from the Department for Education, show results in reading, writing and maths have flatlined across the country over the past five years.

There is also a marked difference in the results of rich and poor children - only 73 per cent of all pupils on free school meals passed their test, compared with 88 per cent of other children.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "These figures show that many children are doing well. But it is worrying that there are still so many who are behind just three years into their school careers. Success in later life is founded on an understanding of the 3Rs in the first few years of school. Problems must be identified at a young age and rectified before it is too late."

He added: "The over-riding objective of the Government is to close the attainment gap between those from poorer and wealthier backgrounds."

Nationally more than 83,000 seven-year-olds have a reading age no better than a five-year-old, while almost 106,000 cannot write to the required level. More than 58,000 failed to make the grade in maths. In London the figure was 9,570.

The Evening Standard's Get London Reading campaign has raised £190,000 in three months from donors including the Duchess of Cornwall, Tony Blair, Google, Barclays, Westfield, Waitrose, Argos, Waterstones, Nokia, Burberry and Foyles.

The figure includes more than £30,000 in online gifts from the public. The money will be spent training and supporting 380 reading mentors with our campaign partner, Volunteer Reading Help.

For more, visit standard.co.uk/getlondonreading