Yorkshire headteacher praised by parents after branding SATs 'useless'
Chris Dyson, headteacher at Parklands Primary School, in Leeds, made the comments in a letter to year six students, which has since been shared across social media.
In the viral note, he told children they were only sitting the exams as “the government says you have to” while adding that the school had “no choice” in the matter.
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Hide AdHe also told them not to worry about their results and instead look forward to “dancing, cooking or reading”.
Chris finished by telling students to “just try your best” and said his staff would be free to talk to them if they felt “anxious” about the statutory tests.
The letter read: “Dear Y6 Children, whatever happens during SATs week does not shape your future one little bit.
“Just try your best, smile and look forward to climbing a tree, playing football, singing, dancing, cooking or reading when you get home.
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Hide Ad“After all the disruption you have had over the past 3 years, my heart goes out to you sitting these useless exams.
“Sadly, the government say you have to do them, so we have no choice.
“We can as teachers, Head Teachers be there for you if you feel anxious – so talking is good.”
The post has since attracted thousands of likes on the Facebook Group Mum in the Moment, where the headmaster has received a number of glowing tributes.
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Hide AdOne social media user said: “Passing exams just proves a good memory. Curiosity proves intelligence.”
Another said: “Fantastic words and unbelievably (& heartbreakingly) true.”
A further user said: “Amazing... Couldn't agree more... We should celebrate each child's achievements whatever they are and stop making them feel bad when they don't make the Sat's grades.
“Let's raise Happy healthy children.”
With another user adding: “Fantastic Words! Hope his youngsters have great futures!”
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Hide AdThe exams, said to measure kids' education capabilities, are normally given to students in years two and six.
But since 2019, they have been cancelled due to Covid-19 disruptions.
The government chose to bring the exams back in 2022, saying that they offer “vital information” about children’s attainment and “support the transition to secondary schools”.
However, a president of a teaching union recently blasted the government’s decision, calling it an “utterly brutal” at the NEU teaching union’s annual conference.