Heads raise alarm over Sats marking

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) says members have been “queuing up” to register alarm about this year’s marking.

Many claim that both higher and lower attaining pupils have been graded incorrectly, making a mockery of the investment of time and energy by pupils and teachers.

In a poll of one local authority, 47 out of 48 members who replied in just two days reported serious inconsistencies in marking between papers, with the writing test in particular singled out for criticism.

NAHT general secretary Russell Hobby said: “Anyone who thinks that external tests are somehow an ‘objective’ measure of pupils’ achievement should be rapidly disabused of the notion by this year’s second exam fiasco.

“Inconsistencies abound this year, along with stark examples of low quality control.

“As a nation, we pour massive sums of money into setting and marking Sats – money which could be far better spent on teaching children.

“We can only hope that the government pays serious attention to the recommendations of Lord Bew for more teacher assessment.

“This is another nail in the coffin for testing as a gold standard of assessment. Certainly the case for the end of the writing test is now cut and dried.”