Year 8 reading test sparks education row

Date: 16 October 2025

The government has announced their proposal for a mandatory reading test for all children at age 13.

This national focus on reading aims to drive up standards to ensure every young person can achieve and thrive.

Why Reading Matters

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, believes that reading is “the passport to the rest of their lives.” Too many students are currently held back from the rest of their education, and the wider world, by an inability to read.

The government proposes that all pupils will take the test in year 8. It marks a potentially significant step forward in driving up standards in core literacy skills. The test will hopefully help young people to unlock everything else school has to offer.

This new measure seeks to set clear expectations to support parents, teachers and pupils alike. It aims to identify gaps early and target help for those who need it. Those who are most able will go even further, the government believes.

Speaking at the Confederation of School Trusts conference yesterday, the education secretary set out the core tenets of the government’s forthcoming schools white paper. The paper will lay out the proposed path for national renewal to take schools into the 2030s.

The Vision

Bridget Phillipson said: 

“There is one barrier in particular I worry is locking young people out. Because before a child can even begin to engage in everything their school has to offer, they must first be able to read.

“When they can’t, the sense of dejection sets in. Engagement seeps away. Attendance follows.

“Reading holds the key to so much. There is no foundation more important.

… 

“So we will introduce a statutory assessment in year 8 to assess reading fluency and comprehension. 

“We’ll test progress at this key point when too many children either spin their wheels or fall further behind. 

“Invaluable data for schools to make sure no child’s need for more, for a helping hand, can slip through the cracks.”

Strengthening Early Literacy Foundations

Children’s reading journey begins in the earliest years. The government is, therefore, also striving to build on the success of the phonics programme. It has set a new ambition for 90 per cent of children to meet the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check.

The government is expanding its support for Reception through the English Hubs programme. It is putting a laser-focus on the children that struggle the most. Reforms also endeavour to boost the quality of education in the early years, and wider family support through Best Start Family Hubs.  

Broadening Support and Tracking Progress

Chief executive of Lift Schools, Rebecca Boomer-Clark, said:

“Reading is the key that unlocks everything learning and engagement.  Having a national ambition for 90 per cent of children passing the phonics check and the introduction of reading tests at Year 8 are both very positive steps forward. 

“We set ourselves a network 90 per cent goal for primary phonics in 2021 and have been testing reading ability across our mainstream schools from Year 1 – Year 10 for the last few years. This has provided us with invaluable information and insight on how to get children back on track – it has driven significant leaps forward in how our children and young people read and as a result how they can engage fully in their learning. This work is critically important for all children, but especially for those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Data from the new statutory assessment will be made available to Ofsted and government. But individual schools’ results will not be published – as with the phonics check. Schools will make children’s results available to parents. 

The reading test aims to provide a snapshot in time. The government’s expectation is that it is not an assessment children need to revise for.

The plans build on the government’s National Year of Reading. This initiative aspires to unite parents, schools, libraries and businesses to get people reading. It will hopefully help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure among young people. 

The government is already supporting an improvement in reading and writing skills. New training for teachers in secondary school aims to support young people to read. The government has also granted a £1million fund to support schools with the greatest need. This fund is used to purchase reading programmes and other resources to support struggling readers.

Sector Reactions

Despite government ambitions, school leaders criticised the proposed new reading test. They claim it is ‘not the best way to drive standards’.

In response to the new government proposal, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“While the government is not wrong to focus on reading, tests and checks are not the best way to drive standards. Great teachers, time and resources are the things that make the difference in improving literacy, not tests.

“The introduction of a statutory reading test in year 8 is unnecessary, distracting and not a good use of money when funding is tight for schools. Pupils already take tests in year 6 – schools have those results and can access detailed question level analysis. Most secondary schools also test at the start of year 7, so they have even more data. Teachers use assessments all the time to check progress, identify areas for support, and act on those. So teachers know which children need support with reading – they don’t need a statutory test to tell them that. 

“Equally, one thing we know doesn’t make a difference in improving literacy is the phonics check. There is no evidence that it has had a positive impact on children’s reading development, and it hasn’t helped to close attainment gaps. Simply announcing a new ambition for attainment in the check won’t make it actually happen without more tangible intervention.

“Teachers know which pupils need further support in reading without statutory tests. The money required to implement the reading test in year 8, and the significant savings that could be made by scrapping the phonics check, would be put to much better use spent on resources and support for children’s learning.”

Education secretary writes back

Update: 17 October 2025

In response to teacher feedback, Bridget Phillipson wrote back.

She noted that the decision to introduce a statutory reading assessment for Year 8 pupils sits at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

Despite the enduring hard work of teachers, the statistics are stark.

“Around one in four children leaves primary school unable to properly read. For disadvantaged children, it’s one in three. Together, we’ve got to turn this around.

Between the crucial staging posts at the end of year 6 and year 11, there is a gap where too many children slip further behind. Some pupils may struggle to catch up, while others who just reached the expected standard then plateau.

It’s important that all pupils make progress through their secondary years. We must fill any gaps with the support these young people need. And to make sure all children are on the right track, we’ll test progress with an assessment designed to support learning without being onerous or adding unnecessary pressure onto pupils. I know your expertise will help them feel confident and ready to show what they’re capable of achieving.”

Empowering educators through insight, not scrutiny

Bridget Phillipson reiterated:

“But I want to stress now that this assessment is not about putting you, our incredible teachers and school leaders, under the microscope. I know how hard you work for the children in your classrooms. It’s about giving you the tools and data you need to identify where children need additional help. 

The assessment will provide invaluable data for schools – giving you insights to ensure no child needing additional support slips through the cracks. It’s about creating a system that works with you, not against you.

Your expertise and dedication are among our education system’s greatest strengths. I know you share my sense of responsibility to the children of this country, and we all have a duty to drive improvement wherever we can. This assessment will help us ensure every child, regardless of background, gets the education they deserve.

Thank you for everything you do, day in and day out, to transform young lives. Your work shapes brighter futures, and I’ll support you every step of the way.”