Feature
‘Low trust, high stakes’ An independent commission on primary assessment, supported by the NEU, is investigating the value and purpose of high-stakes testing. Commissioner and head teacher Kulvarn Atwal explains. WE have a system in this country based on children sitting formal tests, which then influences the curriculum. I wanted to be part of an independent group that would consider alternatives and review the value of what we have now. Schools need to be trusted to provide a more rounded assessment of a child. Take the reading test at the end of key stage 2: essentially, it’s a writing test because the children have to provide written responses to demonstrate their reading. The average teacher can provide a far more rounded assessment of a child’s reading ability. The idea that only a score in a test counts and that then informs progress at key stages 3 and 4, takes autonomy away from teachers and develops an environment in schools of low trust and high stakes. The case for dropping tests “Since the writing test was dropped, and teachers stopped teaching writing to the test, the quality of children’s writing has improved. I was a key stage 2 marker until 2010 and schools would train children to write a narrative piece and perform those skills in a test. Since that test stopped, children now have to show
“We’re also crushing children’s enjoyment of so many subjects.”
Kulvarn Atwal is head teacher of two primary schools – Highlands and Uphall in the east London borough of Redbridge
lead. The magazine for NEU Leadership members
9
