I read with great interest Emily-Ann Elliott’s article on the SATs tests and, along with many other people, I think these tests should be scrapped in favour of going back to good old-fashioned learning for our children (The Argus, August 7).
These tests are not there for the benefit of children.
Far from it – they are solely there for the benefit of the Government to see how schools are performing.
SATs have been controversial since they were introduced in 1998 and ever since teachers, headteachers and parents have been calling for their end in favour of going back to traditional learning, where teachers can assess the progress of the children who they teach on a regular basis.
SATs are a one-off test which can give misleading results and a false impression of a child’s ability.
The publication of the National Test results does lead to recriminations about standards which quite unjustly reflect on the children.
This current set of league tables must be the last with children being allowed to learn and teachers being allowed to work stress-free from constant testing.
I am sure that we will see a great improvement in standards with children getting the support they need from their teacher if they are struggling in any subject.
Children may well start enjoying school again as well.
Steve Fuller
Rowan Avenue, Hove
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