Sats row continues as results released

Updated 19.32 Tue Aug 05 2008

Keywords: government, english, children, science, maths, adding, writing, reading, girls, boys, primary, teachers, secondary, ITN, classroom, schools, tests, marking, exams, education, pupils, news, SATs

The proportion of 11-year-olds in England reaching the standard expected of them in maths and English has risen by 1 per cent this year.

However, it is below the Government's target level for Key Stage 2 Sats, which test primary school children in both subjects, as well as science.

Head teachers have said the Government's decision to publish the results "beggars belief" following the marking shambles

The figures show that 61 per cent of children had reached level 4 - the grade they are expected to reach - in reading, writing and maths, up from last year.

The results found that 81 per cent of pupils reached level 4 in English, and 78 per cent achieved that grade in maths, both up 1 per cent from last year. In science, the figure was unchanged at 88 per cent.

But that meant the figures were once again below the Government's 85 per cent target for English and maths.

Head teachers have said the Government's decision to publish the results "beggars belief" following the marking shambles.

They warned that there is still widespread concern about late or missing results and inaccuracies in marking, and suggested ministers were issuing the results "prematurely".

Delivery of online publication of results to schools was delayed this year due to problems with marking and inputting data.

Schools secretary Ed Balls said last week that he had been advised by statisticians that there is enough data available to go ahead with publication.

He insisted that England's exams regulator Ofqual had advised that, as of the end of July, there are no widespread concerns about the quality of marks that could justify withholding the results.

Latest figures from contractor ETS Europe, hired to deliver the results, show that 99 per cent at Key Stage 2 are now available to schools.

In a statement last week Ofqual said it recognised that the confidence of pupils, teachers and parents had been severely damaged by the delays.

And the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has said its National Assessment Agency was taking over the appeals process from ETS.