Five schools this year have been investigated over their handling of national tests for 11-year-olds. Results in one or more subjects have been quashed in four schools by the QCA.
And four headteachers have resigned following allegations of irregularities.
Head David Hopkins, of Whiteknights primary, Wokingham, Berkshire, resigned when the school’s test results in maths and science were quashed. Maths and science results at Kelloe primary, County Durham, have been voided.
The head, David Horton, was suspended and has since resigned. All key stage 2 tests results have been annulled at South Borough primary, Maidstone, Kent. The head has been suspended while an investigation proceeds.
At Greenacre first and middle, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, maths test scores were voided because pupils were given a 15-minute break during the test.
At Globe primary, Tower Hamlets, London, head Annette Davies was suspended following allegations of irregularities in the administration of KS2 tests. A QCA investigation has allowed the results to stand but Ms Davies has since resigned.
Around 600,000 pupils take the KS2 tests. Last year there were 270 reports of cheating, but only 11 cases were upheld. John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said: “Only individual cases hit the headlines demonstrating how few cases there are.”
