Support for decision to scrap Sats for seven-year-olds | Letters

James Smith believes the focus of primary school should be on building relationships and a love of learning, Tony Roberts addresses a crisis in teaching and Colin Richards says four-year-olds will sabotage efforts to measure progress

I welcome Justine Greening’s decision to abolish compulsory examinations at the end of key stage 2 (Greening scraps compulsory tests at age seven, 15 September). While Sats measure academic ability, they do not take into account the fact that children’s brains develop at varying rates. Furthermore, the focus of primary school should be on building relationships and forming a love of learning. With that in place, pupils will be better equipped for the rigours of secondary education than they would had they been coached excessively for exams.

Sats, for all their benefits, have gaping flaws. Pupils and teachers are put under unjustifiable pressure to meet their grade targets, which sadly often comes at the expense of teaching a broad and enjoyable syllabus. However, that is not to say progress should not be tracked during primary years. The correct setting of students in year 7, according to ability, aids learning through enabling teachers to address gaps in understanding and, in the case of the more able, to challenge pupils to develop their skills with the intention of reaching their potential in the new, more robust, GCSEs. A consultation at the end of key stage 2 between parents and teachers would be a credible alternative, ultimately serving everyone better.
James Smith
(Teacher of English), Liverpool

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2xFchmM