Head teachers urge Nicky Morgan not to publish 'skewed' primary test results

Head teachers have called on Education Secretary Nicky Morgan to stop the publication of this year’s SATs results, warning that marks will be too “unpredictable” for analysis.

In an open letter to Ms Morgan, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) argued that a series of embarrassing mistakes involving the new curriculum tests this year mean that comparing the results between schools would be “very risky”.

Lack of preparation time for schools, and variations in teaching approaches to assessment caused by “delayed and obscure guidance” could undermine confidence in the data, teachers have warned, suggesting that instead primary school league tables should be scrapped.

The letter states: “The experience in a large majority of schools has not been a positive one. Teachers and head teachers all agree that a thorough review of assessment is necessary. We hope that you will commit to a fundamental review of assessment to avoid further problems next year.”

Earlier this month, an English SAT paper due to be taken by pupils in year six was leaked by a “rogue marker” thought to be protesting over the controversial new national curriculum tests introduced this year.

Another English paper was accidentally published on the Department for Education website before year two pupils could sit the test, fuelling concerns over the validity of this year’s results.

Baseline tests for reception pupils also had to be scrapped, when it was found that the different types of tests being used did not produce consistent results

The head teachers’ union said ministers need to address the “growing disquiet about assessment”.

“It is not just that the marks may be lower overall, which could be addressed, but that they will vary in unpredictable ways. We know of widely different approaches to writing assessment across the country, for example.”

“And the content and sequencing of the reading test meant that lower attaining pupils had little opportunity to show their progress. This may result in a skewed distribution of marks that simply setting a lower threshold may not solve. Comparisons between schools become very risky.”

The letter comes soon after the NAHT announced it would set up an independent panel to review primary and key stage three assessment, which aims to publish interim recommendations by the end of this school term.

The DfE has consistently defended the primary school exams process, saying the reforms introduced this year will “help ensure all children leave primary school having mastered the basics”.

A Department for Education spokesman said: ”We are determined to get this right and remain committed to working with teachers and head teachers as we continue with our primary assessment reform. We will respond to this letter in due course.“