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A good insight of SATS |
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none |
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yes |
Panorama. Monday 12th May 2008. 8.30pm-9.00pm.
Tested To Destruction.
Vivian White reports on claims that schools in England are given too many tests.
Vivian White is a former teacher and has given a honest and clear picture of views on SATS testing in England.
This week is England's week for testing Y6 children using SATS.
Parents of Y6 children and pupils undertaking these tests are probably feeling relieved that today is over (monday) because the first day of SATS is done. Today Science. Over the next few days they face;
Literacy - reading, writing (long paper & short paper), spelling and 2 maths papers (calculator and non- calculator).
I don't usually watching Education Documentaries, but after seeing how much work my colleague has put into his class (as he does ever year) in playing down the SATS, in order to stop the pressure and stress levels building, I was interested in what would be presented in this programme.
Panorama, as with many other BBC docs are well reputed and give good hearing to all aspects of the theme being presented.
The programme was focused around Phoenix Primary School that has been low in the league tables, although Ofsted have stated they provide 'a rich & stimulating' curriculum.
My heart reached out to the head teacher who recieved a letter from OFSTED to the children telling them
'the standards they reached are well below average'.
How b****** dare they think they have the right to tell children this.
I couldn't believe what i was hearing. What a disgrace that these people are allowed to write such demoralising statements to pupils and staff that work so hard.
I am both a teacher and mother who has seen the effects of SATS on children, staff and parents.
Yes, we do need to test our children in some way but not in a manner that puts every one involved under such stress.
Results, taken from these SATS, that are published by the LEA in league tables are not a true reflection of a schools and pupils real talents.
Children taking part in this programme where asked to draw SATS MONSTERS. You can look at these on these on the BBC Panorama website. Please visit these and see for yourself what children are trying to tell use about these tests. They are vivid images of worry, stress and fear.
I admire the Phoenix Primary School Staff who are clearly very professional and talented people. Their Therapeutic room set up for helping pupils calm down when facing tests is commendable.
Throughout the programme we hear from varies professors with their opinions and research results.
I was particularly impressed with Prof. Maragaret Brown who states SATS encourages 'teaching to the test'.
However, Jim Knight MP, (Schools Minister) defended his belief in the testing system by saying its a 'Snapshot of where children are in their education'. (Hmmm, I would like to invited him into a school for a real look at what happens throughout the course of a term's literacy, maths and science learning)
I believe that the Head of a school in North Wales, has a much more realistic picture of SATS, she states what many teachers have been screaming at the Government since the introduction of SATS in 1991 - 'SATS are SNAPSHOT ( there's that word again) in time under stress. Any adult or child under stress will not do there best.
England is the only country in the UK that still use this method of testing. Children in North Wales were also asked to draw SATS MONSTERS. wow, what a differences. Their monsters were funny, fun loving and friendly.
When will this government trust their teachers fully? Teachers know where their pupils are in their learning.
A child who is not so good at maths or literacy has skills in others areas that need to be celebrated and recognised.
Our children are gifted and talented in their own way. Let them show this off and not just what they do in an hour on a day in May.
Thankyou to the BBC for showing how well pupils can perform without the stress of these unfair tests.
