17 August 2007
The standard of maths and English achieved by 14-year-olds has fallen well short of government targets, prompting calls for a thorough review of the assessment system.
As school-leavers were preparing themselves for their A-level results on August 16, younger pupils were receiving their Key Stage Three results.
Compared with last year, the proportion of pupils achieving the desired Level 5 in maths dropped by one percentage point to 76%. In English, the proportion rose by one percentage point to 74%. Level 5 attainment in science was at an all-time high of 73% – also up one percentage point on the previous year.
But the results are some way off the Public Service Agreement targets for this year, which were for 85% of 14-year-olds to achieve Level 5 in English and maths and 80% in science.
Schools minister Jim Knight said he was disappointed to see the dip in maths results, but added: 'It is important to put this into context. The overall trend remains upwards and there have been dips in the past that have been quickly reversed.'
But teaching leaders said very little could be read into the small percentage changes. Martin Johnson, acting deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said the only conclusion that could be drawn from the results was that pupils were over-tested. 'The main result of the Key Stage Three tests is shallow learning, which leaves pupils bored and demotivated,' he said.
'At the moment, the assessment tail is wagging the curriculum dog. We urge the government to review the current assessment system and stop this endless testing, which turns children off learning and prevents them gaining the skills they will need through their lives.'
John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said small percentage changes in the results should not lead to an outbreak of 'national soul-searching' but said more effective methods of assessment could be implemented.
'National progress should be gauged by sampling 10% of the cohort instead of totalling the results for all 14-year-olds. Sampling would be a more reliable indicator,' he said.
Employers declared themselves disappointed with the results. Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI business organisation, said: 'Literacy and numeracy skills are essential in the workplace and in daily life… these missed targets are a disappointment, especially considering the massive investment that has gone into education.'
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