Conservatives reveal plan for secondary school Sat resits
In a bid to minimise failure and mediocrity in schools, David Cameron has promised more vigour and zero tolerance - with his latest plans meaning 100,000 pupils taking tests in English and Maths during their first year of secondary education.
The report discloses that in last years tests, 79 per cent of pupils achieved the expected grades in reading, writing and maths. However, Cameron believes that the 21 per cent who failed to match expectations with their grades often fail to catch up academically. Among the 21 per cent, only seven per cent reach the benchmark measurement of five 'good' GCSEs - including maths and english. The proposal would mean a standardised resit in maths and english which would be marked by teachers, rather than external examiners. However, pupils with special needs would be exempt from the resits.
Mr Cameron said: "There is no job that doesn't require English and maths, and this is about making sure every child gets the best start in life and that our country can compete in the world."
The proposals are not without contesting reactions. Malcolm Trobe, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, believes that schools already have in place measures to ensure that pupils moving from primary to secondary schools has the necessary skill set.
Trobe said: "It is important that the results of these tests are diagnostic and used to support the work of the teachers and do not become yet another performance indicator on which to measure schools."
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