Lessons should be learnt from the debacle of SATS- ATL

16th December 2008

Commenting on the Sutherland review, Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said:

“We are pleased the Government commissioned the Sutherland review and hope lessons will be learned from it.

“However, we regret that the review skims the surface of national curriculum tests and fails to raise vital issues. Questions need to be asked about the role of private companies as providers of crucial aspects of state education.

“The DCSF and QCA must not now get bogged down in creating a perfect exam system at the expense of what is really important - pupils’ learning. We urge the Government to give serious consideration to the rationale for these tests and their impact on the curriculum and pupils’ learning.

“The Government should not use the review to scapegoat individuals, but should use this opportunity to explore other ways of testing children that would help, rather than hinder, their education.”

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