Action call over fall in primary reading skills

The reading skills of young children in Sunderland have worsened since 2024, new figures show.

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Concerns raised over primary school reading standards.

Figures from the Department for Education (DfE) for 2025 show 77% of five to six-year-olds in Year 1 at schools in the city met the required standard-a slight decrease on 79% a year earlier.

The attainment rate in England was 80%

The data also shows girls outperformed boys in every part of the country, with 82% of girls meeting the standard in Sunderland, compared to 71% of boys.