Thank you, Liz Tarr, for “Absence makes the targets harder” (TES, May 28), which touched a chord. In 1997, we had only eight Year 6 pupils, two of whom were absent during our key stage 2 tests. These were both level 4 children.
In our recent inspection, the inspectors refused to use our most up-to-date test results (1998) as they had no comparative data. Our 1997 results were used, which were affected dramatically as 25 per cent of our cohort was absent.
It was stated in our final report that our standards in English were well below average. This was untrue and although we have complained we have had no success in changing this judgment.
Valerie Richardson, Teacher, Bodiam CE school, Robertsbridge, East Sussex
