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Primary school science Sats end Primary school science Sats end
(about 7 hours later)
Science Sats taken by 11-year-olds in England are to be scrapped and replaced by teacher assessments and national sampling, ministers have agreed.Science Sats taken by 11-year-olds in England are to be scrapped and replaced by teacher assessments and national sampling, ministers have agreed.
They have backed recommendations from an expert group report on assessment being published on Thursday.They have backed recommendations from an expert group report on assessment being published on Thursday.
The experts endorse new, single level tests for English and maths - but say they need more piloting.The experts endorse new, single level tests for English and maths - but say they need more piloting.
But the changes are unlikely to stop a planned ballot on a boycott of next year's Sats by two education unions.But the changes are unlikely to stop a planned ballot on a boycott of next year's Sats by two education unions.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) oppose Sats because they say teachers are obliged to "teach to the test".The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) oppose Sats because they say teachers are obliged to "teach to the test".
They argue that the focus on the three Sats subjects in Year 6, the last year of primary school, is to the detriment of the wider curriculum.They argue that the focus on the three Sats subjects in Year 6, the last year of primary school, is to the detriment of the wider curriculum.
They are also opposed to school results being published in publicly available league tables.They are also opposed to school results being published in publicly available league tables.
The union's general secretary Mick Brookes told the Today programme on BBC Radio Four dropping the science Sat would only make the curriculum more narrow.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
The government has warned heads they have a statutory duty to administer the tests, and a boycott would be illegal .The government has warned heads they have a statutory duty to administer the tests, and a boycott would be illegal .
Core subjectCore subject
The expert group, which is made up of head teachers and education professionals, is also expected to back the government proposals to have "report cards" which would grade schools on behaviour and children's wellbeing, as well as test results and Ofsted reports.The expert group, which is made up of head teachers and education professionals, is also expected to back the government proposals to have "report cards" which would grade schools on behaviour and children's wellbeing, as well as test results and Ofsted reports.
So far it is not clear what ministers' attitudes will be towards continuing to make the test results and report cards available for league tables.So far it is not clear what ministers' attitudes will be towards continuing to make the test results and report cards available for league tables.
From 2011 it is expected the government will rely instead on the assessments teachers already make of their children's progress in science - the pattern now established in Wales.From 2011 it is expected the government will rely instead on the assessments teachers already make of their children's progress in science - the pattern now established in Wales.
As a check on national standards, a random sample of children would sit tests each year - as is done in Scotland.As a check on national standards, a random sample of children would sit tests each year - as is done in Scotland.
Single levelSingle level
With the existing Sats, about to be taken by more than 580,000 primary school children in England, the questions cover a range of abilities so children can be scored at different levels.With the existing Sats, about to be taken by more than 580,000 primary school children in England, the questions cover a range of abilities so children can be scored at different levels.
In the new single level tests in English reading, English writing and mathematics, the questions are all pitched at a certain level of understanding.In the new single level tests in English reading, English writing and mathematics, the questions are all pitched at a certain level of understanding.
Children are entered for the relevant level when their teachers think they are ready. So they take it with others of the same ability level rather than the same age - rather like a music or dance exam.Children are entered for the relevant level when their teachers think they are ready. So they take it with others of the same ability level rather than the same age - rather like a music or dance exam.
Dropping science but keeping English and maths would fit with Liberal Democrat policy.Dropping science but keeping English and maths would fit with Liberal Democrat policy.
Spokesman David Laws welcomed the proposed change, though would go further and have more teacher assessment in English.Spokesman David Laws welcomed the proposed change, though would go further and have more teacher assessment in English.
A Tory spokesman said: "We have commissioned a review led by Sir Richard Sykes into the future of testing, assessment, examinations and qualifications and his group will report in due course.A Tory spokesman said: "We have commissioned a review led by Sir Richard Sykes into the future of testing, assessment, examinations and qualifications and his group will report in due course.
"In principle we're in favour of keeping the Key Stage 2 tests [11-year-olds] though we will obviously consider carefully any specific government proposal to change them.""In principle we're in favour of keeping the Key Stage 2 tests [11-year-olds] though we will obviously consider carefully any specific government proposal to change them."
Mixed reactionMixed reaction
The scrapping of the science test comes as no surprise, following the publication last week of the Rose report on England's primary school curriculum.The scrapping of the science test comes as no surprise, following the publication last week of the Rose report on England's primary school curriculum.
That report downgraded science from one of the three "core" subjects, alongside English and maths - replacing it with information communication technology (ICT).That report downgraded science from one of the three "core" subjects, alongside English and maths - replacing it with information communication technology (ICT).
Some observers have suggested that dropping the science test would take the steam out of the unions' opposition.Some observers have suggested that dropping the science test would take the steam out of the unions' opposition.
But NAHT general secretary Mick Brookes said it would make matters worse.But NAHT general secretary Mick Brookes said it would make matters worse.
"We think it's a retrograde step because it will narrow the curriculum," he said."We think it's a retrograde step because it will narrow the curriculum," he said.
Downgrading it would be a throwback to the old attitude displayed by colleagues in secondary schools, "You teach 'em to read, write and add up and we'll do the rest".Downgrading it would be a throwback to the old attitude displayed by colleagues in secondary schools, "You teach 'em to read, write and add up and we'll do the rest".
But the chief executive of the Association for Science Education, Annette Smith, welcomed the expected change.But the chief executive of the Association for Science Education, Annette Smith, welcomed the expected change.
She said the way the test was constructed did not assess science as it happened in primary schools - as an active and collaborative activity which built on children's curiosity and observation skills.She said the way the test was constructed did not assess science as it happened in primary schools - as an active and collaborative activity which built on children's curiosity and observation skills.
She said the science community would "fight tooth and nail" for science in the curriculum, but did not agree with the argument put by Mr Brookes.She said the science community would "fight tooth and nail" for science in the curriculum, but did not agree with the argument put by Mr Brookes.
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