ALMOST every single primary school teacher wants to see the Sats system abolished, reveals a poll published today to coincide with the release of the tests’ results.
A survey of 54,000 primary school teachers conducted by the National Education Union (NEU) found 97 per cent want to end the widely criticised examination system.
The union described the survey as the biggest ever indicative ballot of teachers’ views on the system.
The NEU national executive committee has said it will decide the next steps for the union’s anti-Sats campaign, with further campaigning under consideration, when it meets on Saturday.
Joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “The NEU’s indicative ballot of primary school members shows there is resounding support for a change to primary assessment.
“Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party all have major concerns about our Sats-dominated system and have pledged to change it.
“The government now needs to listen and to accept the need to change a culture in which too many classrooms are dominated by teaching to the test, at the expense of the learning and wellbeing of our children.”
Labour shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: “These results should send the government a clear message that Sats aren’t working for teachers or pupils, and it’s about time they listened.
“A Labour government will end the high-stakes accountability system that holds schools back and invest the resources they need to teach a broad and balanced curriculum for all children.”

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