Primary schools are bending the rules to get pupils through key stage 2 tests because of pressure to perform well, the National Primary Headteachers’ Association has said. The claim follows news that the number of schools reported for failing to follow the rules in national curriculum tests has fallen by more than a quarter.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority received 147 complaints about last year’s tsts for seven, 11 and 14-year-olds, compared to 204 in 1999. It said most did not warrant investigation but 10 per cent had led to adjustments in pupils’ scores and one school had its entire results annulled.
The queries, made by parents, pupils, teachers, councils and marking agencies, covered issues ranging from incorrect storage of test papers to pupils being given extra time to finish questions.
