A LIVERPOOL academic last night launched a scathing attack on Sats exams and demanded an end to the “stress-laden” tests.
The damning assessment was given as figures obtained by the Daily Post reveal the majority of Merseyside teachers are backing union moves to boycott the maths and English tests taken by 11-year-olds in May.
The show of strength comes as the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and National Union of Teachers (NUT) prepare to formally ballot in protest at the tests which they believe cause unnecessary stress and should be replaced with teacher assessment.
And last night, speaking exclusively to the Daily Post, Liverpool Hope University’s Dean of Education, Professor Bart McGettrick, said it was time the Government realised “Sats have had their day”.
His comments come as a Merseyside NUT poll reveals most teachers in the region agree.
In Knowsley, as many as 91% of teachers supported a boycott and in Liverpool nearly 88% were in favour. Even in Sefton, home to the lowest number of Merseyside teachers in favour, some 68% still backed the action, which although falling short of strike would mean children would not sit any tests and have a normal week of lessons instead.
Prof McGettrick said: “I think it’s a pity teachers have to rebel against the system, but I think the Government needs to re-think its policies.
“I believe assessment does not require this stress-laden approach to the collection of information.”
