Free schools in England have outperformed other types of school for six and seven year-olds for the fifth year in a row.

Phonics results from the 188 primary free schools in England are 4 percentage points higher than in council-run schools, according to government figures.

KS1 assessment and phonics screening checks show nationally 82% of year 1 pupils are meeting the expected standard in phonics, while 75% of year 2 pupils reach the expected standard in reading, 69% in writing, 76% in maths and 82% in science in their Key Stage 1 assessments.

The statistics show:

• 82% of pupils met the expected standards in phonics – up from 58% in 2012
• This figure rises to 87% in mainstream free schools
• 75% of year 2 pupils reach the expected standard in reading, 69% in writing, 76% in maths and 82% in science
• For mainstream free schools these figures rise to 79% in reading, 73% in writing, 79% in maths and 85% in science
• Girls outperform boys in both phonics and Key Stage 1 assessments
• London is the best performing area in the country in both phonics and Key Stage 1 assessments

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: “If children are to achieve their full potential it’s vital that they are given firm foundations to build on – and that’s what these statistics show is happening. It’s particularly pleasing to see free schools doing so well, illustrating the important role they play in the system.

“Mastering phonics, which provides a solid foundation for reading, along with basic numeracy and literacy, means these pupils will be able go on to apply these skills in more and more advanced ways. It’s because of the hard work of teachers and our keen focus on raising standards at the earliest stages of education that we’ve been able to see these results.”

Free schools, introduced in 2010, are funded by the government but aren’t run by the local council, so they have more control over how they do things.