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Council: "caution" urged over SATS results
PARENTS should treat SATS results announced this week with "utmost caution" Buckinghamshire's top schools boss has warned.
Parents should not place full confidence in the Key Stage 2 results for 11-year-olds when making decisions over their child's schooling, it is claimed.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families this week revealed the country was above average in results for English, maths and science.
But the results were delayed in being returned to schools last month - and there was widespread concerns about the marking of English papers.
Marion Clayton, cabinet member for achievement and learning on Buckinghamshire County Council, the local education authority, spoke out today.
She said in a statement: "I realise many parents use test results in making important decisions about their children's schooling, but I would urge the utmost caution this year."
Cllr Clayton said: "I had asked for the results to be declared null and void and am astonished that they have been published when the picture could look very different after all the results are in and challenged.
Individual marks for schools will be announced later this year. Results released this week show the county scored well in level 4 tests.
This was 85 per cent for English, four per cent higher than the national average, 83 per cent for maths, five per cent higher and 91 per cent for science, three per cent higher.
But the council said 25 out of 134 county schools have incomplete and inaccurate test results for one or more subject.
Many teachers believe English to the most poorly marked exams given its "subjective" nature.
The council today revealed a letter from the DCSF after Cllr Clayton wrote to schools minister Ed Balls to complain.
The letter - from Elaine Gordon of its public communications unit - said she understood staff's "frustration and distress".
The letter said: "It is most unfortunate that this year's exercise has encountered difficulties.
"Ministers have made it very clear that they share their frustration and deeply regret the damage it has caused to schools' confidence in the tests."
But it said: "However, administrative difficulties in one year do not point to a system that is unsustainable."
It said: "Smooth delivery of national tests in the future is achievable."
An independent inquiry "will ensure that the lessons are learned".
Yet Cllr Clayton said: "Whilst that department claims to "understand the frustration and distress" this has caused, I am not convinced they understand the unnecessary and increased burden this has placed on headteachers at a very busy time of the year."
Buckinghamshire was also above average for more difficult level 5 tests.
This was 37 per cent for English, eight per cent higher, 41 per cent for maths, 10 per cent higher and 54 per cent for science, 10 per cent higher.
Key Stage 3 results, for 14-year-olds, will be published on Tuesday.
2:57pm Thursday 7th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: sue, denham on 4:27pm Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote]Parents should not place full confidence in the Key Stage 2 results for 11-year-olds when making decisions over their child's school, it is claimed.[/quote]
This is a ridiculous statement, as the children taking this test were in year 6 and schools were chosen at the beginning of the year. The SATS tests are an unecessary evil and it is only the schools who benefit, pushing the children to do well so it makes the school look good.
Parents should not place full confidence in the Key Stage 2 results for 11-year-olds when making decisions over their child's school, it is claimed.
This is a ridiculous statement, as the children taking this test were in year 6 and schools were chosen at the beginning of the year. The SATS tests are an unecessary evil and it is only the schools who benefit, pushing the children to do well so it makes the school look good.
Posted by: SBJones, Wycombe on 6:18pm Thu 7 Aug 08
England has lost any confidence in SATS the sooner they are scrapped the better
England has lost any confidence in SATS the sooner they are scrapped the better
Posted by: Plus ça change..., Wycombe on 6:41pm Thu 7 Aug 08
What does it all cost us?
What does it all cost us?
Posted by: daisyduck, HW on 8:37pm Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote]it is only the schools who benefit[/quote] The schools do not benefit from the National Curriculum Tests. Teachers hate them as much as everyone else. We would be the first to celebrate when they are scrapped. Perhaps then, we will be able to teach useful skills rather than how to answer test questions.
[quote]schools were chosen at the beginning of the year.[/quote]
I think the comment in the article is referring to the parents who will begin touring schools to choose a place for their reception child. This starts happening in September and these parents usually do look at the results in my experience.
it is only the schools who benefit
The schools do not benefit from the National Curriculum Tests. Teachers hate them as much as everyone else. We would be the first to celebrate when they are scrapped. Perhaps then, we will be able to teach useful skills rather than how to answer test questions.
schools were chosen at the beginning of the year.
I think the comment in the article is referring to the parents who will begin touring schools to choose a place for their reception child. This starts happening in September and these parents usually do look at the results in my experience.
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