The Department for Education today (Thursday 14 September
2017) published its response to
the consultation on primary assessment in England.
Julie McCulloch, primary specialist at the Association of School
and College Leaders, said: “The decision to introduce a
baseline assessment in reception and to scrap compulsory SATs for
seven-year-olds is good for children and schools.
“ASCL has been working closely with the Department for
Education to achieve this result and we will continue to do so
over the delivery of these reforms.
“For the first time, schools will be given credit for a
child’s progress through their whole time at primary school from
the age of four to 11, instead of the current system which
measures progress only from the age of seven.
“It is a better and fairer way of seeing how well schools are
achieving for all their children, including in the crucial early
years. It will help to recognise excellent practice and identify
where improvements can be made.
“Making the Key Stage 1 SATs non-statutory should also
significantly reduce the pressure on primary children, and
encourage schools to offer a broad, rich curriculum.
“We understand the concern that some people have over the
idea of assessing very young children, and the previous
difficulties in introducing a baseline assessment.
“But we are absolutely clear that these planned assessments
must be reliable and appropriate to the age of the children.
“And we would reassure parents that teachers are highly
experienced in carrying out assessments in a sensitive and
non-intrusive manner.”
