Sentence examples for numeracy will be from inspiring English sources

The new tests in reading, writing and numeracy will be taken by children in primaries one, four and seven as well as in the third year of secondary school.

Similar plans for numeracy will be developed by the start of the 2012-13 academic year.

As a second step, the repeated measurement of PIAAC literacy and numeracy will be included in an extended scaling and analysis model to enable longitudinal analyses (second set of plausible values).

National reading and numeracy tests will be introduced in May, and from September improving literacy and numeracy will have to be part of all subjects - not just English, Welsh and Maths - from ages five to 14. Data from the tests will be collected and analysed nationally with the intention that teachers get a clear indication of how children are progressing.

Mr Andrews said: "The National Literacy and Numeracy Framework sets clear, realistic and achievable expectations for the teaching of literacy and numeracy and will be a critical tool in driving up standards across the board.

New literacy and numeracy programmes will be aimed at 750,000 adults lacking even these basic skills and new efforts made to identify local skills gaps.

The literacy and numeracy tests will be given to children in reception a few weeks into school from next September, at a time when most of them will still be struggling to find the peg with their name on it.

The second test of numeracy, which will be introduced next May, will assess pupils ability to solve problems involving numbers they are likely to face in everyday life.

The targets for numeracy and literacy will be met ahead of schedule.

Pupils should also understand the basics about common 2D and 3D shapes, and be confident with other numeracy skills that will be useful in life.

Both girls attend specialized classes where they learn basic literacy and numeracy skills that will be useful for doing business.