'They're designed to be challenging': Government defends SATs tests after some pupils reduced to tears
The Government has defended “challenging” tests for Year 6 students in England after a paper in this week’s Sats exams reduced some pupils to tears.
A DfE spokesperson said: “Key Stage 2 assessments are key in identifying pupils’ strengths and where they may have fallen behind as they head to secondary school. “Schools should always encourage pupils to do their best but preparing for primary assessments should not be at the expense of children’s wellbeing.”
“Members have told us that the choice of texts was not accessible for the wide range of experiences and backgrounds children have and the difficulty was beyond previous tests, leaving children upset, and with even staff struggling to understand the questions. In a letter she shared on Twitter, Ms Forrester said this year has seen “the most negative impact on our children that we have ever experienced”.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sats reading paper: Government defends 'challenging' testsAn English reading paper fuels debate about the purpose of the tests for Year 6 pupils in England.
Read more »
Parents slam 'unfair' SATs and back headteacher who wants exams SCRAPPED'My daughter was in tears': Parents slam 'unfair' SATs and back headteacher who wants exams SCRAPPED
Read more »
Year 6 Sats: Children 'distraught' after reading paperA head teachers' union says even staff struggled to understand parts of a Year 6 reading paper.
Read more »
Bellingham school flood damage costs in the hundreds of thousandsSewers in Bellingham village in Northumberland were overwhelmed during downpours on Saturday night.
Read more »
Leeds woman scoops hundreds of pounds after being selected in a free postcode lotteryThe NHS worker said she'll use the money for a 'guilt-free' weekend away
Read more »
Glasgow bid to home Ukrainian refugees as hundreds still in city hotelsA meeting heard the city faces a shortfall of social housing for homeless people.
Read more »