Tests

From high-stakes testing to regular summative assessment, we look at the ever changing landscape of tests in primary schools, how to improve pupils' results, and track pupils' progress.

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  This Year’s SATs – What Have We Learnt?

  SATs

  • Are we expecting this year’s KS2 SATs to tell us more than is reasonable? And have the nature of the test questions subtly shifted? Two Y6 teachers give us their take…
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  How Standardised are your School’s Assessments?

  Tests

  • Without a consistent approach to test invigilation, it’s debatable whether there can be such a thing as ‘standardised assessments’, says Tyrone Samuel...
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  SATs Are Damaging Schools

  SATs

  • Rather than look only at the scores, we must face up to the wider impact that SATs are having, says Nansi Ellis
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  PISA’s Andreas Schleicher – “Making Educational Issues Political Poisons Our Schools”

  Tests

  • The creator of the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment reflects on what he’s taken away from almost two decades of detailed – and sometimes contentious – comparisons of different school systems around the world...
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  School Accountability – What Needs to Change in Order to Help Teacher Workload and Recruitment?

  Tests

  • With teacher recruitment continuing to fall and workloads still rising, could a new commission on school accountability by the NAHT be a step in the right direction?
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  4 Ways to Reward Year 6 Pupils with an Amazing Post-SATs Trip

  SATs

  • We look at some of options available when it comes to rewarding your Year 6s for their efforts during the assessment season...
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  David Laws Talks PISA, Assessments And ‘Hands-On’ Policymaking

  SATs

  • The former Schools Minister and now head of the Education Policy Institute shares his thoughts on how English schools compare globally, and recalls some ‘hands-on’ policymaking...
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  Data Alone is Not Evidence of Good Teaching

  Tests

  • You can tell Michael Tidd where he’s going wrong – just don’t use simple data to prove your point
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  If The DfE Is Going To Set Standards Through Inspections, Don’t Prevent Schools From Meeting Them

  Tests

  • Schools are having to meet standards that they’re being prevented from reaching, argues Caroline Collins

• In Defence Of Baseline Assessments – “I’m Sure Some Will Be Horrified”

  Tests

  • The much-maligned baseline assessment is due a reappraisal, suggests Michael Tidd...