Many primary pupils miss science targets

The results of the new scaled down primary school science tests show 19 per cent of children who sat the exam did not reach the standard expected of the age group.

That is an increase on the 12 per cent of pupils who fell short in 2009, when all children were required to sit a national curriculum test in science.

For the first time this year, children were assessed by teachers for

the subject, with just five per cent of schools, some 27,210 pupils across the country, also sitting a formal test.

The results published yesterday show 81 per cent of 11-year-olds reached level four – the level of ability expected – compared with 88 per cent last year.

The Department for Education said the latest results are not comparable with previous years because of the changes.

But the drop in pupils reaching the expected level is likely to fuel suggestions pupils had previously been drilled to pass the test. In the past, English, maths and science Standard Assessment Test (Sats)

results have been used to create league tables for primary schools but now they will be put together without science.

The National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower

said: "The Department of Education's press release... admits that Key Stage Two tests are about school accountability and not about assessing children's progress. The sample tests do just that.

"All in all, the sample tests point the way forward."