Closed petition KS2 Reading SATs was unfair on pupils & shouldn’t be counted in performance data

Closed on 26 November 2016

Unlike other Key Stage 2 subjects, the Reading paper differed significantly from the sample test. We fully support a drive to increase standards, but the level of vocabulary was above beyond most 11 year olds. This poor communication of expectations by the DfE should not punish pupils or schools.

The number of inferential questions was far higher, with fewer literal, than the sample. Both were inaccessible to lower attainers, who couldn’t show skills learned. In past/sample tests pupils found key words in a question to retrieve information/infer answers. This test required pupils find synonyms of key words. Teachers would have taught this had it been indicated in sample materials/Programme of Study. It’s unfair to test children on skills for which there was no indication to teachers.