Call to end national school tests

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The Commons schools select committee condemned the "widespread" practice of teachers drilling pupils to pass their tests and called for Sats to be radically cut back.

The MPs demanded an inquiry into "grade inflation" amid concerns that test results may exaggerate the true standards of education that children reach.

And the committee warned that the Government's planned reforms, which will see pupils tested more often instead of at fixed ages, risk causing even more damage to education.

The damning report came as 1.2 million 11 and 14-year-olds across England take their Sats in maths, English and science.

The select committee said: "The system is now out of balance.

"The drive to meet government-set targets has too often become the goal rather than the means to the end of providing the best possible education for all children.

"We received substantial evidence that teaching to the test, to an extent which narrows the curriculum and puts sustained learning at risk, is widespread."

Meanwhile Schools Secretary Ed Balls has proposed changes to the testing system, with a pilot project under way in more than 400 schools.

Instead of assessing children with National Curriculum Sats at the fixed ages of 11 and 14, the pilot scheme tests pupils when their teachers think they are ready. Ministers believe this could incentivise schools to help pupils make faster progress and ease pressure on pupils.