Government has let down students on SATs: MP

MP Gordon Marsden at his office in South Shore.

The Labour MP claims the new tests have let down hundreds of children and their schools across Blackpool.

National results have left only 53 per cent of 11-year-olds passing in reading, writing and maths – prompting concerns from teachers and educationalists that the tests were too tough.

The tests were last week slammed by one Blackpool head with other Lancashire school leaders setting up a petition critical of former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

Speaking in the House of Commons Mr Marsden spoke about the “huge sense of frustration” felt by teachers and parents in Blackpool.

He said: “Those who took this year’s SATs have been badly let down by the Government. These years are almost as crucial for young people as their first years in secondary school. Yet here we have the Government producing results suggesting nearly half of them are not ready for that.”

“By rushing ahead without properly involving professionals or parents, the Government failed to spot fundamental flaws in their design.

“Secondary schools will not regard these tests as useful. Children have been let down because of the Government’s incompetence.”