Cheshire Headteacher slams SATs exams after pupils brought to tears

A headteacher from Tarporley, Cheshire tells how she watched as her pupils opened their test papers and 'were broken' by what lay in front of them.

She then goes on to criticise SATs tests after watching her pupils break down in tears.

Year 6 children are currently sitting their tests this week, the tests are statutory assessments taken by primary children at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

The tests have previously come under fire from parents and teachers, who feel it's unnecessary for children of such a young age to be tested and not a fair assessment of their overall academic abilities.

After seeing the effect on her pupils at Tarporley C of E Primary School in Cheshire and their reactions to the tests on Wednesday, headteacher Kerry Forrester, has written to her MP saying 'SATs must go'.

Mrs Forrester also shared a copy of her letter online for other professionals and families to see and within just a few hours the letter had been shared more than 40,000 times.

"Today was not acceptable. I cannot believe what we put our 10 and 11 year old children through for the government. SATS must go. Today I have written to my MP and urge you to do the same."

"Today really was my 'road to Damascus moment'. My year 6 children, all capable readers who love reading, opened their reading test paper and were broken!"

"Tears flowed from our most capable readers and stress levels rose amongst all others. For what, I found myself asking, for no other reason than to sit a test for the government DFE accountability measure.

"This was the most challenging reading test I have seen in my 29 years as a teacher and my 14 years as a headteacher.

"Since Covid we have spent time supporting our children to catch up and to believe in themselves as learners. Today saw so much of that work destroyed by a snapshot from an inappropriate test."

She continues to say how pupils put themselves under 'immense pressure to perform well in these tests', which has a negative impact on their self-esteem, confidence and mental health.

Urging her MP Edward Timpson to 'consider the evidence and take action to address this issue', she added: "Primary school should be where we make lifelong learners, not switch children off'.

hundreds of people have responded across social media to her tweet, many of them professionals who agreed that SATs are unfair and today's paper was particularly difficult.

"Totally agree with this," said one. "It was completely unfair. Accessible to read but the questions were ridiculous and no clear answer. There was far too much for the hour time limit and totally unfair for pupils with ASD or slow processing. I will be writing to our MP too."

"So pleased teachers are finding their voice now!" said another. "SATs totally drained my kids and we put no pressure on them at all, the school where really good too. It’s all very unnecessary and potentially harmful. My dyslexic son is yr 7 he doesn’t know he failed his SATs. He’s brilliant!"

“Key Stage 2 assessments play a vital role in understanding pupils’ progress and identifying those who may have fallen behind, so they can be provided with extra support if needed.

“It’s important that schools encourage pupils to do their best but preparing for these exams should not be at the expense of their wellbeing.”