P6 Research Programme

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing to inform you that your child’s P6 class has been selected to participate in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

What is PIRLS?  

PIRLS is an international study that takes place every five years and gathers data from over 60 countries. PIRLS looks at the reading skills of 9–10-year-olds around the world. The results are used by our government, and governments from around the world to improve their primary education systems, so it is vitally important that your child participates. Further information on the study is available from the Pearson website - www.pearson.com/uk/web/pirls26-ni.html

What is involved?  

The study involves reading short passages of fiction and non-fiction and answering questions, as well as a short questionnaire. Your child doesn’t need to do anything to prepare and nor will it affect your child’s results or progress in school.  If there are any questions they do not wish to answer, they may leave them blank. Please be assured that your child’s results will not be identified in any reporting. This is because it is the education system, not your child, that is being reviewed.  

The privacy and data security of the pupils and schools is very important, and no individual or school will be identified or identifiable in any reporting.