Commenting on the passing of Motion 10 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Primary schools should be places of inspiration and wonder for children. Too often this is not the case. Our ambitions for primary education should be set much higher. The NEU will continue to support members in creating curriculums that are reflective of the diversity of all children, so everyone feels that primary school is a place they belong and can thrive in.
“Statutory testing in primary schools, including SATs, does not contribute to higher standards. Testing forces teachers to concentrate on a narrow part of the curriculum, at the expense of sports, arts, and the humanities. For too many children, primary school has become a dull place, one in which they do not feel successful or inspired. The emphasis put on SATs results means that those who do not show the best of themselves in formal written tests are made to feel like failures.
“The NEU will continue to campaign for a fairer assessment system, in line with the findings of the Independent Commission on Assessment in Primary Education published last year. We will support our members in developing a broad and inclusive curriculum so that all children can feel engaged and enthused with their learning.”
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2023-048-NEU