The author summarises findings from the Royal Society's "state of the nation" report on 5-14 science and mathematics education in the UK. This is the Society's third report on aspects of science and mathematics education in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and the first where the focus has included primary practice, policy, performance and provision. The report gives information about trends in attainment from 1998 to 2009 based on teachers' assessment data and national test data where available.