Much is made in the chief inspector’s annual report (TES, February 7) of the relatively poor performance of 11-year-olds in writing compared with reading.
One of the contributory factors seems to have been neglected in discussion of the problem. It may well be that the expectations enshrined in level 4 for writing are either far more demanding than in the equivalent level for reading or are simply out of touch with what can reasonably be expected.
The “problem” of writing may be of the Government’s own devising.
Those expectations at level 4 in writing need to be revisited by some group that has the confidence of the teaching profession.
In that way, who knows, the problems of differential attainment in writing may become a thing of the past.
Professor Colin Richards
1 Bobbin Mill
Spark Bridge
Cumbria
