Focus on tests 'limits learning'

In a letter to the Commons schools select committee, Ofsted warned pupils were being limited in what they learnt because of a tendency to focus on passing tests.

It is a particular issue in Years 6 and 9, when 11 and 14-year-olds sit compulsory national curriculum tests (Sats), although "teaching to the test" can also be seen at GCSE and A-level.

In her letter Ofsted's chief inspector Christine Gilbert, said that while the best schools could focus on exams without narrowing the curriculum, this was not always the case.

"In some schools an emphasis on tests in English, mathematics and science limits the range of work in these subjects in particular year groups (often Years 6 and 9), as well as more broadly across the curriculum in some primary schools."

In Year 6 maths there are sometimes fewer opportunities for practical work because of "the emphasis given to practising skills and techniques in preparation for national Key Stage 2 tests," she says.

Ms Gilbert also said that poetry featured less in the curriculum for pupils taking national tests and that pupils in many schools studied very little geography until the tests were over.

But she did add that it was important to produce evidence of children's abilities through tests and exams. Ms Gilbert was responding to a report on testing and assessment published by the committee in May.

She addressed recommendations that the current national testing system was trying to "serve too many purposes". The report said that data from the tests did not provide an accurate or complete picture of the performance of school and teachers and yet it was relied upon by the Government, Ofsted and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in making decisions.

Ms Gilbert replied that Ofsted did not rely on test data alone to make judgments about the performance of pupils, teachers and schools. She added she believed the use of test and exam data in inspections was "appropriate".