TIMSS 2007 was the fourth in a series of international studies testing pupils aged ten and 14. It directly
tested mathematics and science performance, and gathered background information from pupils, teachers
and headteachers. The study takes place every four years and England has participated in it since 1995.
Key findings
• The only countries to outscore England (statistically significantly) in any of the four assessments were
Asian Pacific Rim countries. No European country outperformed England in any of the four
assessments, and nor did the United States, or countries often perceived as high performers such as
Australia, Sweden and New Zealand.
• England’s performance over time has continued to improve in mathematics at age ten and, for the first
time in the study, performance in mathematics at age 14 also significantly improved. For science, the
previous high performance was maintained in both age groups.
• Of the 26 countries which tested both ages, England was one of only seven to show no overall gender
differences in mathematics or science at either age. Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, all highscoring
countries, also shared this pattern.
• Although 14-year-olds’ enjoyment of mathematics had fallen since 1999 in England, there was a
significant rise in the percentage of 14-year-olds valuing mathematics highly, i.e. recognising that it can
be useful to them.
• Compared with the international average, headteachers and mathematics and science teachers in
England are more likely to say that their schools (at both age ranges) are well-resourced.
• England’s science pupils at age 14 are more likely to spend their lesson time doing practical science
activities than many of their international counterparts.
• Over 40 per cent of pupils at age ten in England report that they have at least 100 books in the home,
nearly double the international average.