Results from Standard Assessment Tests (Sats) have shown that overall standards in reading, writing, and maths have increased amongst Year 6 pupils in England, however, they are still lower than they were before the pandemic. Sats results indicate that 61% of pupils have achieved the expected level in these three subjects combined, which is an improvement from last year’s 60%; it is important to note that in 2019, which was the final year Sats were taken before nationwide lockdowns were implemented, this percentage was 65%.
According to the government, there are still “far too many pupils” who are not meeting expected levels of achievement. The former government announced that by 2030, 90% of pupils should be reaching these standards, however, the Department for Education has yet to confirm if this target is still in place. In individual subjects, the proportion of pupils who have reached the expected level either rose or remained the same. The levels are as follows, 74% in reading (up from 73%), 73% in maths, which is the same as 2023, 72% in writing (up from 71%), 72% in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, which is the same as 2023, and 81% in science (up from 80%).
While these results are an improvement, many have expressed concern about the ongoing impact of Covid-19 disruptions on learning. Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has highlighted the considerable impact on some students, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result, experts are calling for the restoration of funding for the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), which was set up to help children catch up after Covid lockdowns disrupted education and is set to end at the conclusion of this academic year.
Although some teaching unions have called for Sats to be scrapped entirely, current plans for the UK’s education system involve a review to consider what methods of assessment will be balanced and fair for young pupils. Ensuring fair assessment of students and safeguarding the overall quality of education are key values, and the new government has pledged to work with unions to create an alternative, proportionate approach to evaluation
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