School leaders tell ministers not to publish '˜unreliable' Sats results this year

Leaders of the National Association of Head Teachers have said a fundamental review of assessment is needed to avoid more problems next year.

In a letter to Mrs Morgan they warn that schools have not had time to prepare for the new assessments or a new curriculum.

They also warn that “delayed and obscure guidance” from the Department for Education has meant there are variations in the way schools have carried out some teacher assessments.

The letter says: “It is hard to have confidence in the data produced by this round of assessments. It is not just that the marks may be lower overall, which could be addressed, but that they will vary in unpredictable ways. We know of widely different approaches to writing assessment across the country, for example.” It added: “This may result in a skewed distribution of marks that simply setting a lower threshold may not solve. Comparisons between schools become very risky.” It said school level data could be shared with parents but not published externally.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We have reformed the primary curriculum to help ensure all children leave primary school having mastered the basics, and the support and hard work of teachers is key to making this happen.

“We are determined to get this right and remain committed to working with teachers and headteachers as we continue with our primary assessment reform.”

There has been ongoing controversy surrounding Sats testing of seven and 11-year-olds this year. A key stage one spelling and grammar test for seven-year-olds was pulled after it emerged the test paper had already been published and seen by some schools on a Government agency website. There was also a national protest about the impact Sats have on children’s lives which saw some parents not send their children to school.

Mrs Morgan has previously indicated that no more than six per cent of primary schools will be beneath national floor targets this year as a result of the key stage two Sats results.

The Government has said that assessment is crucial to ensuring every child fulfils their potential.

They have also said school assessment is not meant to cause pupils significant stress. “Schools should encourage all pupils to work hard and attain high grades, but we do not recommend that they devote excessive preparation time for these tests and certainly not at the expense of a child’s wellbeing.” they added.