News

New tests for five-year-olds could be introduced

Early Years Curriculum
Five-year-olds could be subjected to testing, under plans being considered by the Department for Education.

Reports suggest that the DfE is considering taking part in a pilot programme, set to run in September 2018, that will see reception class children take part in a series of tests.

The move is reportedly disclosed in an ‘expression of interest’ document seen by the Telegraph last month, which states that, ‘Currently three countries – including the UK (represented by England and possibly Wales) – have agreed to participate in the IELS (International Early Learning Study) pilot. Scotland and Northern Ireland will not take part.’

The document has since been unpublished from the DfE’s website.

However, a spokesperson for the Department told Nursery World that no decision has yet been made about whether the UK will be participating in the pilot programme.

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