Coached SATs tests improves Bristol primary school results this year
Bristol primary schools are continuing to do well according to provisional Government figures.
The findings come from the results of this years widely unpopular SATs tests which 21 schools in the city managed to boycott.
Despite this, the provisional results in the coached exams showed the number of children achieving a level 4 or above increased on last year’s results in both maths and English.
The number Bristol schools performing below government targets for the tests have also improved, dropping from 23 to 12.
Some schools across the country failed to administer SATs tests as part of industrial action, supported by both unions the NUT and the NAHT.
Many believe that the tests force teachers to coach for the exam, restricting the curriculum taught in schools that year and also causing unnecessary stress on children who feel under pressure to perform well and achieve high levels.
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: “Focussed work on reading and maths at primary level are making a real difference to children in the city, giving those at risk of falling behind the extra support they need to get back on track. A number of schools have delivered outstanding results. We must ensure that this excellence is spread to all schools in the city.”
Whitehall Primary School head teacher, Sarah Allen, is particularly proud of her school’s results.
The Easton based school managed to exam coach 87 per cent of students to achieve a level 4 or above for English and 81 per cent for maths.
Proving that SATs are far from an innocent test of a school and child’s achievement and require hours of hard work in a narrowed curriculum, the head teacher said: “We are thrilled with these SATs results for our children, who have worked so hard this year. They really do deserve this success. A big ‘well done and thank you’ also for the hard work and dedication of our school staff and the support of our fantastic families.”