Tests were scrapped by half of primary schools
Reporter: by KAREN DOHERTY
Date published: 04 August 2010
HALF of Oldham’s 86 primaries boycotted this year’s SATs.
Figures from the Department for Education show that only 43 schools held the English, reading, writing and maths tests for 11-year-olds.
But 74 per cent of pupils who sat them reached the expected standard for their age (level 4) in writing — above the national average of 71 per cent.
Oldham’s results of 80 per cent in English, 83 per cent for reading and 81 per cent in maths are among the lowest in Greater Manchester.
Nationally, reading levels have fallen for the second year running, down from 86 per cent to 84 per cent. Writing results are up along with English (81 per cent) and maths (80 per cent).
Tables
Members of the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) voted to boycott the tests which are used to compile league tables.
It was then up to individual heads, deputies and assistants to decide whether to take part.
Pupils at a quarter of schools in England did not sit the tests.
Tony Harrison, branch secretary of Oldham NUT said: “I am pleased that half of Oldham’s primary school children have been spared the anxiety of having to sit the tests, and having to be taught to the tests rather than being educated properly.
“We did not take this action lightly and I am proud of the Oldham teachers took part.”
Unlike last year, teacher assessments on pupil performance over the year were published alongside the test results.
“What is interesting is the results are very closely in line with the test results themselves,” added Mr Harrison.
“This shows teacher assessments are accurate and should be used in all schools to replace the tests.”
Oldham teachers said 79 per cent of pupils achieved level 4 in English ( 81 per cent England). The figures were 80 per cent for maths (81 per cent) and 82 per cent in science (85 per cent).
At age 14 the teacher assessments results in Oldham were English 77 per cent (79 per cent England), maths 78 per cent (80 per cent) and science 77 per cent (80 per cent).
