This year’s SATs will be a pointless exercise, only adding pressure and stress for pupils and teachers when the burden of the pandemic is already heavy enough, says Helen Osgood


The exams and testing season is upon us. This year, despite on-going concerns and warnings and clear evidence of Covid disruption, the government is charging full steam ahead with a return to formal examinations.

Just a few weeks ago, schools minister Robin Walker instructed teachers to “be focusing as much as possible on the exam preparation, the revision and perhaps the tuition as well that goes along with that to make sure pupils are as well placed as possible to take those exams”.

Many national commentators seem focused on GCSEs and A levels, but we in the primary phase are already immersed with the return of SATs. And while students need their grades from GCSEs et al, the purpose of SATs, as you well know, is very different.

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