Key Stage 2 (KS2) attainment measures how well children perform in reading, writing, and maths by the end of primary school (age 11).It is one of the clearest indicators of educational quality, early opportunity, and long-term life chances. KS2 doesn’t just reflect academic ability — it reflects the environments where children grow, learn, and build confidence.

Early years development refers to the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills children build from birth to age five — the foundations of their entire life trajectory. At first glance, it can seem like a soft, intangible measure. But in reality, it is one of the strongest predictors of a community’s long-term wellbeing, shaping future education outcomes, income, resilience, and overall quality of life.