Six-year-olds to be given reading test

Under plans drawn up by the Government, all children will be given a reading test after one year of formal schooling.

Announcing details of the proposals yesterday, Mr Gove said the test would be designed to assess whether children could read simple words.

He insisted it would be "impossible" for schools to drill pupils to pass the test, and would be a "true gauge" of a child's reading skills.

The check, which will be administered by class teachers in Year One, will help confirm if children have grasped the basics, and identify pupils who need extra help.

Ministers want primaries to focus on teaching children to read using systematic synthetic phonics. Under this system children are taught individual sounds in words and blend them together. The new test will be based on this.

Proposals for a reading test for six-year-olds were announced by the Tories before the General Election.

Mr Gove said yesterday: "We are determined to raise literacy standards in our schools, especially of those not achieving the expected level – a light-touch phonics-based check will provide reassurance that children in Year One have learned this important skill, will enable us to pinpoint those who are struggling at an early age and will give them the help they need."