Shake-up for secondary school tests

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Children starting secondary school next September will face a revised set of "Sats" tests when they turn 14 in light of a controversial new curriculum.

Pupils who struggle the most with English, maths and science will not be tested at all under the plan.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) said the reforms were needed to ensure "public confidence" in the assessments.

Currently, about 600,000 14-year-olds take national curriculum tests in maths, science and English in England's state secondary schools every year.

The tests, often known as "Sats", are used to judge pupils' development in the core subjects and provide results for school league tables.

But a new national curriculum for 11-14-year-olds, published earlier this year, dramatically cut back the amount of detailed knowledge prescribed by government for teaching in schools.

The QCA said the tests must change to take account of the more flexible curriculum.

In a newly-released letter to ministers, dated June 5, QCA chief executive Ken Boston said: "The new secondary curriculum provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the best curriculum assessment arrangements from 2011 onwards.

"In order to ensure public confidence, a revised curriculum needs to be balanced by appropriately developed assessments."