Commenting on the report Primary Comes First by IPPR, and supported by More than a Score, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“This research from IPPR lays bare the disproportionate impact SATs have on disadvantaged pupils.
“For too long, primary school children have been let down by a system that narrows the curriculum, worsens student engagement and creates barriers to enrichment opportunities. This is particularly devastating for disadvantaged pupils.
“The research also highlights the devastating ways SATs-related accountability pressure contributes to teacher stress, affects pedagogy, and contributes to teachers’ decisions to leave the profession.
“This report is yet another reminder that the Curriculum and Assessment Review was a fatal missed opportunity. It leaves in place a high-stakes, high-pressure system that does not support teaching and learning nor provide meaningful information to teachers and parents.
“The government must change course. Change is desperately needed to build an assessment system that supports children and their learning, especially disadvantaged pupils. It’s time to scrap SATs and end statutory primary assessment”.