Children in England better at reading than peers in Wales and Scotland

Seven-year-olds in England are better at reading than their counterparts in Wales, according to new research using data from the Millennium Cohort Study.

Researchers from Cardiff University looked at the literacy development of children at ages three, five and seven in Wales, England and Scotland.

The study found that English children make faster progress in reading from the age of three than children in Scotland.

The researchers suggest that the reading abilities of ethnic minority pupils in London, who are on average significantly ahead of their white peers by age seven, may be contributing to England’s success.

“Interrupting educational inequality in the UK: evidence from the UK Millennium Cohort Study” was presented to the British Educational Research Association (BERA) conference by Professor Chris Taylor and Professor Sally Power on Wednesday 4 September.