Key Stage 1 assesments

New assessment arrangements for seven year olds at Key Stage one combining National Curriculum tests with continuous teacher assessment will be extended nationally to all primary schools for the current academic year, confirmed schools minister Stephen Twigg today.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

Stephen Twigg schools minister said: "For seven year olds, a teacher's overall, rounded assessment of a child's progress through the year, underpinned by national tests, will provide a more accurate guide to their progress than their performance in one set of tasks and tests.

"However, there are no plans to extend this approach to Key Stage two and Key Stage three, where it is important for schools and parents to have information on a child's performance through objective, nationally benchmarked tests for ages 11 and 14."

Party Response: Liberal Democrat

Phil Willis MP, Liberal Democrat  education spokesman said: "Today's announcement is a welcome first step on the way to scrapping external testing for seven year olds.

"SATS at seven must be replaced with ongoing teacher assessment, which leaves more time for teaching and reduces the stress for children and parents.

"Assessment must be built around the benefit of children and not around the fulfilment of government targets."

Stakeholder Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans ATL deputy general secretary, said: “This is the DfES goose that has laid the golden egg. We know from members that the trials have been thorough, even exhaustive in some cases. What has been proved is a child’s learning achievements can be more reliably assessed in normal classroom conditions. No longer will capable seven-year-olds decide that they will fail forever, having done badly in the old SATs tests.

“We warmly welcome the new combination of teacher assessment, together with a single, standardised but not scaring test of a learners’ basic skills. Given the success of the key stage one trials, the time is now right to take a closer look at key stage two.”

Stakeholder Response: National Union of Teachers

Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: “The move to give teacher assessment pride of place in informing parents is very welcome.  It is good news for all teachers and parents.

“Trusting teachers to provide results from their assessments rather than requiring them to rely on tests is a major step forward.