ENGLAND'S primary school pupils are the third most able readers in the world behind Sweden and the Netherlands, according to a recent international study.
The study, which examined the reading habits and achievement of 10-year-olds in 35 countries, showed that England was one of the highest-performing countries in the world, and the most successful English-speaking country.
Other key findings were:
Children in England show more reading readiness and have a higher level of early learning skills than their international counterparts.
English schools have far more books than those in many other countries and have greater access to specialist staff for the teaching of reading.
Homes in England have more children's books in them than any other country in the survey.
The study also showed that, while 10 per cent of England's pupils were in the lowest achievement bracket for literacy, the country's brightest pupils - 25 per cent of those tested - were the best readers in the world.
The survey, called the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), was carried out in England on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills by the National Foundation for Educational Research.
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