Senior Professional Officer (Education) Ian Toone said: “Children are tested too much so we are pleased that the scheme – which was only a pilot for English reading, English writing and mathematics – will not be rolled out nationally. Annual tests such as these encourage teaching to the test rather the teaching of a broad and balanced education.
“We hope that these tests will not be replaced with others. The next logical step would be to scrap the remaining key stage 2 tests.
“Voice would prefer to see fewer exams and tests and greater use of teacher assessment. The current system of exam-based ‘accountability’ is for the benefit of the government, rather than for providing information for parents and taxpayers, and teachers’ professional judgment would provide a better and more cost-effective measure of pupils’ progress.
“We have welcomed the Education Secretary’s wish to ‘declutter’ A levels. We hope that this will be extended to the whole exams system.”
