KEEPING PRIMARY SCHOOL TESTS WILL HIT PUPIL WELLBEING, TEACHING UNION WARNS AS IT URGES SATS RETHINK
Keeping all formal primary school tests will hit pupil wellbeing, a teaching union has warned.
Three in four (75 per cent) of primary school teachers surveyed by the National Education Union (NEU) said the decision in the curriculum review to broadly retain primary school statutory assessments such as SATs will worsen the engagement and wellbeing of pupils.
This belief was more pronounced for teachers who worked in areas of high deprivation.
One teacher responding to the survey said they felt an opportunity to make the curriculum 'less onerous' for children was being 'squandered'.
The survey of 517 primary school teachers also found that 86 per cent said SATs alone worsen the wellbeing of their pupils.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said: 'A top-down "exam factory" culture and a stifling curriculum have, up to now, resulted in high rates of mental ill-health among young people, the choice of subjects at secondary being reduced, and a level of disengagement that can lead to classroom disruption and truancy.'
He added that the Government has blown 'the opportunity to reset education and eradicate the mistakes and tick-box obsessions of past governments'.
The final report of the Government-commissioned curriculum and assessment review was published earlier this month.
It recommended broadly keeping primary school assessments, though recommended some changes to the current test of grammar, punctuation and spelling for year 6 students, and how writing is assessed.
The Government accepted these recommendations, and confirmed it has 'no plans to radically change the shape of assessments' at primary school.
This comes after last week actress Anna Maxwell Martin and 22 parent groups and campaigners wrote to education secretary Bridget Phillipson to say the current SATs system 'actively harms' children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
The Government has also announced its intention to introduce a new statutory reading test in year 8.
An NEU poll of 619 secondary school teachers found 60% said this new test would reduce curriculum time available for other subjects.
One teacher said in response to the survey: 'Teaching to a Year 8 test will sap any joy out of reading for children who are at the age where that becomes a problem.'
Teaching unions have previously raised concerns about the introduction of a new year 8 reading test - saying many schools already have tests in place at this time and that the results may end up being another measure for schools.
However, Ms Phillipson told the Guardian earlier this month she would urge those considering opposing the reading test introduction to 'really think carefully about whether they can justify the shocking outcomes that we see for too many working-class kids in our country'.
Mr Kebede said: 'There is still time to change approach. Government must stop, look and listen. If they are serious about young people and unleashing opportunity, then that starts with the curriculum.'
A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We won't shy away from driving high and rising standards for every child. Tests and assessments are vital tools for identifying where pupils need extra support, ensuring no child is left behind.
'Too many children start secondary school without the foundations needed to succeed, particularly white-working class children and those with Send. That's why we're introducing a mandatory reading test in Year 8 so we can ensure these pupils are getting the support they need to be on track ahead of their GCSEs.'
Read more- Will scrapping SATs and reducing exams boost 'student and staff wellbeing' or betray young minds? Inside the gripping education reform debate.
- Is Bridget Phillipson's bold plan to put wellbeing over exam results the education shake-up Britain needs?
- Has Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's crusade to prioritize 'wellbeing' over grades triggered a risky downgrade of academic standards?
- Will the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill spell disaster for school standards or inspire a new era of educational equality?
- Will Bridget Phillipson's new Ofsted system overhaul satisfy anyone, or is it doomed to worsen school accountability and academic standards?
