Open Letter Regarding SATs

Assessment is a vital part of the school system, and it is right its implementation is debated. However, Labour’s pledge to scrap SATs without any idea of a replacement could lead to lower standards and greater inequality for our children.

Contrary to common belief, English pupils are not over-tested by government – with formal exams only in Year 6 and Year 11. If these are overly stressful for some children, then it is more about how they are prepared for them by others, not the tests themselves.

Research shows that externally-set and marked exams are the most accurate, fair, and objective way to assess what pupils have learned over time. Having standardised tests across all schools enables teachers and others to understand which approaches work best. Our most vulnerable pupils are the ones who benefit the most from this.

Furthermore, it is our most vulnerable children who would be most disadvantaged by any move towards teacher assessments. Research is clear that it is these pupils whose work is disproportionately impacted by natural unconscious bias. Also, at a time when workload is a major issue driving people out of the profession, putting more onto the shoulders of teachers could be disastrous.

SATs are not perfect, and in the past they have caused some schools to narrow their curriculum; but the tide has turned on this, especially with Ofsted’s heightened focus on educational breadth and richness.

Scotland saw what happened when they threw the testing baby out with the bathwater, which is why they reintroduced national tests. We would urge caution before England makes the same mistake again.

Signed: