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Key stage 2 SATs boycott
The NUT and NAHT have authorised their leadership members to take industrial action to refuse to administer the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests in English and Mathematics in 2010.
NUT and NAHT members are instructed to:
refuse to follow any and all of the test opening, checking and administrative procedures
refuse to carry out the tests
refuse to ensure that all 'eligible and able' pupils take the tests.
The action will commence on 4 May to affect SATs week (10-13 May).
ATL has not balloted our leadership members because we believe that the government listened to our reasoned arguments about the assessment and accountability regime that currently operates in England, and was moving, with the piloting of the School Report Card, to a more rational accountability framework for schools.
Where industrial action is taking place, ATL members are advised to adhere to the following principles.
ATL's position when other unions take industrial action is that we advise our members not to undertake any duties which could undermine the action taken by colleagues in other unions. In this case:
Classroom teachers
In addition to the above principle, action not to administer SATs should not affect them directly since classroom teachers cannot be required to routinely participate in administration and invigilation arrangements that do not call for the exercise of professional skills and judgement. Taking this into account, classroom teachers should not be requested to undertake any of the duties involved in the administration of KS2 tests. If requested, members are advised to contact ATL for further advice.
Support staff
Support staff should not be asked to cover for colleagues who are taking industrial action. If requested, support staff members are advised to contact ATL for further advice.
Leadership members
ATL-AMiE leadership members should not agree to undertake any work in relation to the administration of the KS2 tests which is normally undertaken by leadership colleagues who are taking industrial action, even if asked to do so by the Chair Of Governors or another member of the Governing Body. We do not expect such requests to come from NUT and NAHT members as by doing so they would be asking ATL to undermine their own action. If requested, members are advised to contact AMiE for further advice.
ATL-AMiE leadership members should administer the tests in the usual way if that is their normal responsibility. Headteacher members should not require NUT or NAHT members of their leadership team who are taking industrial action to undertake that work.
For the background to ATL-AMiE's policy on the key stage 2 SATs boycott, see this page.
Need further advice?
Your first point of contact is your ATL rep in your school or college. Your local ATL branch is also available to help with queries, or you can contact ATL's member advisors on tel: 020 7930 6441 or email us. Please have your membership number to hand when telephoning and include it with any correspondence - this will help us to answer your query more quickly.