THEY are the most talked about exams and league tables ever – but for all the wrong reasons.
Despite many Fylde coast schools showing improvements in their Key Stage Two tests (the tests for 11-year-olds) headteachers have spoken of their mistrust of the entire system.
They say the results give only a “snapshot” of a child’s development r
ather than a true picture of their progress.
One former headteacher even went as far as to say this year’s league tables were “not worth the paper they are written on” after well documented problems in marking last summer’s Sats exams.
The league tables – which were due to be published in December – are based on the results of controversial key stage two tests in English, maths and science. An overwhelming number of tests were sent back for re-marking after teaching staff questioned their quality – delaying the publication of league tables by four months.
Following the marking delays, ETS Europe, the private outsourcing company hired to administer the tests had its contract terminated.
Dr Ken Boston, head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, was the next go. He stepped down as an inquiry into the chaos was launched.
In the months which followed, the Key Stage Three Sats for 14-year-olds were abolished but the Key Stage Two exams are set to remain for the time being.
Last week teaching unions threatened to boycott the 2010 tests unless an urgent review is carried out.
The National Association of Head Teachers and the NUT teaching union say the tests taken by seven and 11-year-olds damage children and schools. They want assessments by teachers instead, and an end to league tables based on the 11-year-olds’ results
Les Turner, NAHT rep for Lancashire has launched a stinging attack on results.
The former head of Freckleton Primary School said: “Any education professional will tell you this year’s league tables are a sham, a ridiculous waste of taxpayer’s money, and not even worth the paper they are written on.
“After the disaster last summer with some schools not getting papers back at all, others getting the wrong results and the amount of appeals – the reason they have chosen to publish is beyond me.
“Ed Balls, school secretary says that parents’ want them and schools have to be accountable which I can’t disagree with, but what parents need is accurate, valid information about their child’s progress, not this flawed snapshot.
“It is a shame this Government will be remembered more for their bombardment of initiatives and the fiasco with the Sats results than their commitment to improving schools and ploughing money into education.
“The day Sats and league tables are finally scrapped I will raise a glass of champagne to the politician who has the guts to carry it out.”
