A REVIEW of testing yesterday left the door open for primary school Sats to be scrapped in the future, in favour of teacher assessment.

An expert group, set up by Schools Secretary Ed Balls to look at the assessment system, recommended that national science tests for 11-year-olds be abolished, and that English and maths tests remain.

But headteachers across Weymouth and Portland said it was not enough.

Headteacher Trevor Jameson of St Georges Primary School, Portland, said the ‘token gesture’ would not avoid a boycott of Sats next year.

He said: “The Government didn’t pay too much attention to science results, they’ve been totally focused on English and Maths the last few years.

“If that’s their way of tackling opposition to the Sats it’s not sufficient.”

Wanda Bolton of Southill Primary School, Weymouth, said it was too late for this year’s pupils, who are due to sit the tests next week.

She said: “Abolishing science tests for next year is a step in the right direction but not enough.

“Teacher assessment systems are a lot more developed than they were when Sats were first introduced.

“We have quite a comprehensive moderation system in place in Dorset that we use for KS1, the optional Sats at Year 4 and profile information at the end of reception year.

“It’s not like it’s going to be a new thing.”

In a statement, the review group said ministers ‘should continue to invest in, strengthen and monitor the reliability of teacher assessment to judge whether a move away from externally marked national tests might be viable at a future date.’ The report also called for the Key Stage 2 tests in English and maths, which are taken by children in their final year of primary school, to be moved to June.

This would mean results are not available until the following September – after the children have started secondary school.

The recommendations follow calls from the National Union of Teachers and National Association of Head Teachers to boycott Sats for seven and 11-year-olds.

But headteacher Leslie Strong of Bincombe Valley School, Littlemoor, Weymouth, said he did not believe scrapping science tests was ‘in response to any pressure from unions.’ He said: “It’s more likely due to Sir Jim Rose’s report into the primary curriculum that recommends that science is not a core subject.

“It’s going to be English, maths, ICT and personal development.”