SATs TEST MARKING 'A SHAMBLES' - BURT

10.45.20am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jul 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt today dubbed this year's SATS testing a shambles and said that some pupils in Solihull may have to wait until the Autumn term to get their results.

Speaking following the debate on the floor of the House, Mrs Burt said:

"Schools Minster, Ed Balls took no responsibility for delays and marking inaccuracies, saying that ministers had an "arms length" responsibility.

"Yet many thousands of children have still to receive their SATS marks, and must now wait until the autumn term to receive them.

"I have spoken to education officers in Solihull and understand that some schools in the borough are still awaiting either a full or partial set of results.

"Advice to schools has been to keep checking the results service websites until Friday, but with schools breaking up today for the summer holidays, this means that some pupils in Solihull may have to wait until the autumn to receive their results.

"Head teachers are also said to have reported "unexpected" results at the high and low levels, and so other pupils in the borough may face a wait for appeals to find out what their final marks will be.

"SATS tests are stressful enough for pupils at the best of times. The unfolding incompetence of this year's marking shambles will make matters worse and can only serve to undermine the confidence of pupils, parents and teachers in the system."

"Why does the government continue to spend over £500million annually on these centralised tests when the money could be better invested in early years learning?"