Nursery World - Teachers say boycott SATs

More than nine out of ten teachers in England support a boycott of SATs tests for seven-year-olds, according to a survey for the National Union of Teachers. In the survey, more than 3,000 primary and secondary school teachers, including those teaching Key Stages 2 and 3, expressed overwhelming hostility to the SATs tests. Tests at age seven were given the thumbs-down by 92.1 per cent of 669 Key Stage 1 teachers surveyed. Of 1,047 Key Stage 2 teachers questioned, 87 per cent opposed tests, while 84.9 per cent of 689 Key Stage 3 teachers were against tests for 14-year-olds.

In the survey, more than 3,000 primary and secondary school teachers, including those teaching Key Stages 2 and 3, expressed overwhelming hostility to the SATs tests. Tests at age seven were given the thumbs-down by 92.1 per cent of 669 Key Stage 1 teachers surveyed. Of 1,047 Key Stage 2 teachers questioned, 87 per cent opposed tests, while 84.9 per cent of 689 Key Stage 3 teachers were against tests for 14-year-olds.

Of all the teachers surveyed, 94.5 per cent said they believed the tests caused adverse effects in schools. More than 86 per cent felt they narrowed the curriculum offered to pupils, and over a third said the tests had led to a deterioration in pupils' behaviour.

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