Unions cool on tests shake-up

TEACHER unions say the scrapping of science tests for 11-year-olds from next year does not go far enough.

They were reacting after Schools Secretary Ed Balls confirmed that Sats would continue in English and maths. Science tests will be replaced by teacher assessment and sample national testing.

School report cards will be introduced in 2011 to replace the current league tables. The news comes as 600,000 11-year-olds prepare to sit this year’s English, maths and science tests.

Sats for 14-year-old have already been abolished following last summer’s marking fiasco in which thousands of pupils received their results late.

However teachers and head teachers want all Sats ditched and are threatening a boycott next year.

Tony Harrison, joint branch secretary of Oldham National Union of Teachers, said: “Obviously we welcome any Sats being scrapped because they just aren’t helpful to children’s education. They have now got to take the next step and abolish them all.”

Eileen Orriss, Oldham branch secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “Why not just abolish Sats and let teachers open up the curriculum, making it more interesting for their pupils instead of the year-long teach-to-Sats routine in many schools?