School has SATs results torn up

CHADDERTON Hall Junior School has had its English SATs results scrapped.

The decision follows an investigation by the Government’s Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA). It is the first time an Oldham school has had its results annulled.

The Chronicle revealed in June that an investigation was being held into the administration of the national English and maths tests by 11-year-olds at the school in May. The maths results have now been accepted but QCDA said evidence “created sufficient doubt” about the accuracy or correctness of English results.

A spokesman confirmed: “The QCDA carried out a thorough investigation and the school’s Key Stage 2 national curriculum English test results have been annulled. It’s vital that the integrity of the tests is maintained and that pupils’ results are an accurate reflection of their abilities. The robust investigation system is in place to make sure confidence in the tests remains high.”

School governor and local councillor Jack Hulme said: “All the governors bitterly regret what has happened. We have been working very hard these last few months to make sure the school keeps in a reasonable situation. We are now on to the next phase, which is looking to the future to help the school progress back to the stage it was previously at.”

Former head teacher Joanna Conway stepped down in September for personal reasons not connected to the investigation.

Patricia Shepherd, head teacher at neighbouring St Matthew’s Infant School, took on the dual role as acting head at Chadderton Hall when Mrs Conway left.

The link between the two schools could soon be stronger after the revealing of amalgamation plans.

Councillor Hulme added: “During this autumn term we have been in discussion with senior officers of the council and the governing body at St Matthew’s to look at the possibility of an amalgamation. There are a number of reasons for this, not least the fact that Chadderton Hall is a very small junior school. The feeling is for it to be viable, not just financially but in many other ways.”