Why I won't impose SATs tests on six-year-old pupils, by Shropshire headmaster
The headmaster of a Shropshire independent school today explained why he was not asking his pupils to take the controversial new SATs tests for six-year-olds.
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Martin Stott, headmaster of Old Hall School in Wellington, said the independent school chooses not to use SATs, saying they do not accurately reflect children's abilities.
Instead, the school runs yearly standardised tests, which are used to monitor how youngsters progress.
Mr Stott said: "It is very difficult for parents of children in the state system because they have to follow set routines and assessments.
"Going for a one size fits all approach doesn't really reflect schools and children's progress."
Mr Stott added that he felt league tables drawn up from SATs results were not an accurate way of comparing schools as it does not take into account the different backgrounds and ability levels of pupils.
It is not yet known how many pupils were taken out of schools in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin schools.
Both councils, as the local educational authorities, were still gathering information about yesterday's absences and said they would be able to provide details at a later date.
The action comes after more than 40,000 people nationally signed a petition supporting a boycott of Year 2 SATs by teachers.
The Let Our Kids Be Kids campaign has organised the day of action in protest at children being "over-tested, over-worked and in a school system that places more importance on test results and league tables than children's happiness and joy of learning".
The petition added: "We want our kids to be kids again and enjoy learning for learning's sake, not for Ofsted results or league table figures.
"Bring back the creativity and the fun – say goodbye to repetition and boredom."
SATs are taken by children aged six or seven in Year Two and then again in Year Six, aged 10 or 11, before a third set in Year Nine, aged 13 or 14.
