§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what account will be taken in assessing and reporting the results of the key stage 1 tests for seven-year-olds of the different ages of those taking the tests.
§ Mr. ForthAll pupils taking the key stage 1 tests this summer should have completed the statutory programmes of study associated with the key stage. The main purpose of testing and assessment is not to rank or label children, but to identify what each child has learnt as a result of following the programmes of study in order to plan future teaching.
The achievements of children who are in the final year of key stage 1 are assessed against the criteria laid down in the national curriculum and the results are reported to parents. The precise age of the child is not a factor in making the assessment, nor are results adjusted to take account of age. The Government have, however, proposed that where test results are included in school performance tables, the accompanying background information about each school should include an indication of the proportion of pupils tested who have been enrolled in primary school for fewer than six full terms.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of children who began the key stage 1 tests for seven-year-olds when these tests commenced in February were aged six at that time.