ONE in five Oxfordshire seven-year-olds is failing to make the grade in writing, Key Stage One test results have revealed.

It means hundreds of youngsters at the county’s primary schools cannot spell the months of the year or construct basic sentences.

Out of 6,265 pupils who took the tests, 80 per cent reached the expected standard – an improvement on last year – but still behind the South East and national average.

Last night, the county council would not be drawn on what it was doing to improve the situation.

But one headteacher said it was “dangerous” to draw too many conclusions from Key Stage One and insisted youngsters were putting in the effort.

It comes after the Government yesterday released results showing how the county’s seven-year-olds shape up in reading, writing, maths and science.

Anna Ballance, headteacher of Wolvercote Primary School, said: “I think there are a lot of children who can be put off by putting too much pressure on too early.

“You have to remember we have children who come in with English as a second language, and they are going to struggle to get those levels in writing — you might get there in reading, but writing will be more difficult.

“When I look at the children who haven’t got those levels in our school, it’s not through lack of effort and not through not having tried to teach them, they just haven’t got it yet.

“I think it is dangerous to draw too many conclusions at Key Stage One and to say we are already failing at that point.”

Children are expected to reach level two or above by the end of Key Stage One.

In all, 84 per cent reached the benchmark in reading, 80 per cent in writing, 90 per cent in maths and 92 per cent in science.

Nationally, 84 per cent hit the target for reading, 81 per cent for writing, 89 per cent for maths and 89 per cent for science.

Meanwhile, across the South East, 86 per cent achieved the grade in reading, 82 per cent in writing, 91 in maths and 92 in science.

It also means fewer pupils in our schools reached expected levels in all four subjects than in similar counties, such as neighbouring Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire.

Janet Tomlinson, Oxfordshire County Council's director for children, young people and families, would not comment on how the results could be improved.

She said: “Early indications suggest Oxfordshire’s results are broadly in line with national averages.

“The county council will now study the results to provide an analysis of strong areas and those needing further development, to provide the basis for its improvement work with schools.”

Gawain Little, president of Oxfordshire National Union of Teachers (NUT) and a teacher at St Ebbe’s Primary School, in Oxford, said parents should not be concerned by the figures.

He said: “If you look over time, we have seen an improvement in writing results alongside other results in reading and maths as well.

“Every school is going to be in a different situation and every pupil is going to be in a different situation, so it is very important that resources are targeted where they are needed and areas identified where there are more disadvantaged children.”

Mr Gawain also said if parents were worried about their child’s progress, they should go straight to their teachers.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk