Written question WQ94636

“Functionally illiterate” is not a term that’s recognised or collected as a data item by the Welsh Government, nor is it used by Estyn in their school inspection reports. This includes the Chief Inspector's annual report, which considers reading skills across all types of school and setting, as well as regular thematic reviews including the September 2024 review of Welsh reading skills and May 2023 review of English reading skills. It is misleading to use the quote and reference a report from over 12 years ago to make conclusions about education in 2024.

We have made available a national-level report ‘Patterns of attainment in reading and numeracy: September 2018 to August 2023’ that shows the attainment of learners from years 2 through to year 9 relative to a reference year. This analysis is based on anonymised, national-level data from Personalised assessments in Numeracy and Reading. Personalised Assessments are statutory for learners in years 2 to 9.

I have been clear that literacy is a key part of delivering on the Welsh Government’s priority to improve standards in education. I set out further action I am taking to support literacy under Curriculum for Wales in my Written Statement on 4 October.