The government plans to introduce a mandatory reading test for year 8 pupils amid concerns that poorer children are disengaging early in secondary school. This would be the first statutory test for key stage 3 pupils since SATs for 14-year-olds were scrapped in 2008.

Pupils in England would take a compulsory national test in seven of their 14 school years. The test would be administered at the end of year 8 and that ministers hope to put it in place from the 2028-29 academic year, however plans are still being finalised. While government and Ofsted will have access to schools’ data, it would only be published at a national level – like the phonics check.

Ministers are concerned poor reading skills are limiting pupils’ access to the curriculum, especially among disadvantaged students. Many pupils leave primary school unable to read properly and later fail their GCSE English.