Commenting on the passing of Motion 14 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Few countries put their children through high-stakes tests as often as England does. Today, delegates have spoken of the significant harms caused by this out-of-date system and have agreed that the NEU’s campaign on primary assessment campaign will be intensified.
“There is substantial, growing evidence supporting our members’ concerns. Both the reports from the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education and Independent Assessment Commission have highlighted the escalating mental health crisis in our schools and the urgent case for change. The NEU has campaigned tirelessly to bring this evidence to the attention of government – yet the burden of toxic testing continues to grow.
“As a result of this motion, we will continue to popularise ICAPE’s findings and recommendations amongst policy makers, as well as our own membership. We will also oppose any attempt to re-introduce Key Stage 3 SATs. The pay campaign has given confidence to members to campaign on education issues and to engage with parents, and we will utilise this to win understanding of the flaws in the current testing regime.”
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2023-052-NEU