MPs urge reduction in school tests

National school tests should be scaled back, MPs have said, as the pressure to meet targets is denying children their right to a rounded education.

The Commons children, schools and families committee also called for an inquiry into "grade inflation" amid concerns that results may exaggerate actual education standards.

Its members condemned the "widespread" practice of teachers drilling pupils to pass tests, and called for Sats - currently being sat by 11 and 14-year-olds across England and Wales - to be cut back.

Its report, published on Tuesday, said: "The system is now out of balance.

"The drive to meet government-set targets has too often become the goal rather than the means to the end of providing the best possible education for all children.

"We received substantial evidence that teaching to the test, to an extent which narrows the curriculum and puts sustained learning at risk, is widespread."

The report went on: "While the government has allocated resources to tackle this phenomenon and improve practice, they fail to accept the extent to which teaching to the test exists and the damage it can do to a child's learning.

"The way that many teachers have responded to the government's approach to accountability has meant that test results are pursued at the expense of a rounded education for children."

In a pilot project currently underway in 400 schools, children are not assessed by Sats at the ages of 11 and 14, but when teachers think they are ready.

Ministers believe this could encourage schools to help pupils make faster progress, and ease pressure on students.

But the committee said: "Without structural modification, we foresee the existing problems - including teaching to the test, narrowing of the taught curriculum and the focus on borderline candidates to the detriment of others - will continue."