English are top readers
SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS in England are better at reading than their counterparts in Wales and make faster progress in their literacy development from the age of three than their peers from Scotland, according to new research.
However, English children may also be less happy than those living elsewhere in the UK.
The reading abilities of ethnic minority pupils in London, who are on average significantly ahead of their white peers by the age of seven, may also be contributing to England’s success. These are among the findings of a new “home nations” comparative analysis of children’s development in the different countries.
It has been carried out by researchers from Cardiff University.