UK Pupils Rank Highly Again in International Reading, Maths, and Science Tests
Summary
UK pupils have maintained their strong performance in international assessments of reading, maths, and science, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa). While ranking below top performers like Singapore and Estonia, the UK outperformed the US, Australia, and many European countries. However, the Pisa report highlights a global decline in teenagers’ reading skills.
Key Findings
- UK Performance: The UK’s performance in Pisa remained steady, reflecting strengths in science, reading, and maths.
- Variations Within the UK: England consistently outperformed Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, despite significant differences in curricula.
- Global Trends: There is a worldwide decline in teenagers’ reading skills, with "hasty readers" almost doubling between 2018 and 2025.
- Education Reforms: The UK government aims to build on these results, focusing on strengthening literacy and numeracy while recognizing the value of technical subjects.
Quotes and Insights
"Our reforms will build on England’s strong academic foundations so future generations… feel connected to school and excited about where their education can take them," said Georgia Gould, England’s schools minister.
Methodology
The 2025 Pisa tests were administered to a sample of 760,000 15-year-olds across 91 countries, including 15,566 students from the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) in 515 schools.
