North East teachers boycott threat over SATs

Feb 27 2010 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal

HUNDREDS of teachers in the North East could boycott this year’s primary school tests.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have jointly announced they are to ballot their members for industrial action.

The unions have stressed teachers and heads will not go on strike, but instead refuse to carry out Key Stage 2 English and maths exams – more commonly known as SATs. The tests are taken by Year 6 pupils, aged 10 and 11, and were introduced to give parents and secondary schools an indication of a pupil’s academic ability.

However, members of the NUT and NAHT say the tests are more detrimental than useful and argue that league tables formed by the results are “demoralising and humiliating” for schools in the toughest communities.

The Government has already thrown out Sats tests for seven and 14-year-olds, but the unions have criticised ministers for their “lack of a positive response” over the future of Key Stage 2 tests.

Vince Allen, the North East spokesman for the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: “It’s illogical to keep these tests when Key Stage 1 and 3 Sats have already gone. Schools aren’t like Marks and Spencer, which picks the best produce and gets rid of the rest. Schools serve the community they are in and take in all shapes, sizes and abilities.

“League tables do precious little, other than showing the social backgrounds of the school community. The Sats interfere with good quality teaching and they’re simply not useful.” If members agree to boycott the tests, which are scheduled to take place in May, children would continue to have lessons as normal.