England has moved up to fourth place in global rankings for children’s reading.

Previously, in 2016, the nation came joint eighth out of 50 countries.

But it has improved despite disruption to education during the Covid pandemic, the ­latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study reveals.

The research takes place every five years and looks at nine and 10-year-olds.

Schools minister Nick Gibb credited the successs to government reforms, including a focus on phonics – a method which teaches ­children to read using sounds.

Singapore was top, followed by Hong Kong, Russia, England, Finland and Poland.

The study assessed nearly 400,000 students in 57 countries during the pandemic.

Mr Gibb said: “The approach the Government has taken, in the face of quite a lot of ­opposition from vested ­interests, has been successful in seeing children’s reading improving.”

Geoff Barton, general ­secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “This is a badly needed piece of good news for an education system that feels beleagured.

“These ­excellent results in reading standards of nine-10-year-olds are testament to the hard work, skill and ­dedication of teachers.”