The headteacher of a primary school has criticised SATs tests after watching pupils break down in tears.
Year 6 children are sitting the tests this week, which are statutory assessments taken by youngsters at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
They have previously come under fire from both parents and teachers, who feel it's unnecessary to test children at such a young age and not a fair assessment of their overall abilities.
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Now, after watching how pupils at Tarporley C of E Primary School in Tarporley, Cheshire, reacted to the tests on Wednesday, headteacher Kerry Forrester, has written to her MP saying 'SATs must go'.
She also shared a copy of her letter for other professionals and families to see online and within a couple of hours it had been shared more than 40,000 times.
Posting it on Twitter, she said: "Today was not acceptable. I cannot believe what we put our 10 and 11 year old children through for the government. SATS must go. Today I have written to my MP and urge you to do the same."
In the letter, the head said: "Today really was my 'road to Damascus moment'. My year 6 children, all capable readers who love reading, opened their reading test paper and were broken!
"Tears flowed from our most capable readers and stress levels rose amongst all others. For what, I found myself asking, for no other reason than to sit a test for the government DFE accountability measure.
"This was the most challenging reading test I have seen in my 29 years as a teacher and my 14 years as a headteacher.
"Since Covid we have spent time supporting our children to catch up and to believe in themselves as learners. Today saw so much of that work destroyed by a snapshot from an inappropriate test."
She added that pupils put themselves under 'immense pressure to perform well in these tests', which has a negative impact on their self-esteem, confidence and mental health.
Urging her MP Edward Timpson to 'consider the evidence and take action to address this issue', she added: "Primary school should be where we make lifelong learners, not switch children off'.
Dozens of people responded to her tweet, many of them professionals who said they agree that SATs are unfair and today's paper was particularly difficult.
"Totally agree with this," said one. "It was completely unfair. Accessible to read but the questions were ridiculous and no clear answer. There was far too much for the hour time limit and totally unfair for pupils with ASD or slow processing. I will be writing to our MP too."
"So pleased teachers are finding their voice now!" said another. "SATs totally drained my kids and we put no pressure on them at all, the school where really good too. It’s all very unnecessary and potentially harmful. My dyslexic son is yr 7 he doesn’t know he failed his SATs. He’s brilliant!"
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Key Stage 2 assessments play a vital role in understanding pupils’ progress and identifying those who may have fallen behind, so they can be provided with extra support if needed.
“It’s important that schools encourage pupils to do their best but preparing for these exams should not be at the expense of their wellbeing.”
Has your child been sitting the SATs tests this week? Do you agree they are unfair? Are you a teacher who feels the same as the head? Let us know in the comments.
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