Pupils taught well in Reception Class do better in their GCSEs
By Professor Christine Merrell
New research from academics at CEM and Durham University shows that attendance at an effective Reception class at age 4 is linked to better GCSE results at age 16.
This study, led by Professor Peter Tymms, followed a large sample of children (around 40,000) in England from the start of Reception, at age 4, right through to the end of compulsory education at age 16.
Children’s early reading and maths development were assessed at the start of school with CEM’s PIPS (Performance Indicators in Primary) assessment. They were assessed again at the end of the first Reception year and later, at ages 7, 11 and 16.