CHILDREN making the transition from primary to secondary school will do so on the back of impressive results in this year’s controversial SATs examinations.
Provisional results, released on Tuesday, indicate that the majority of those schools who participated in the national tests for Key Stage 2 have attained results above the national average.
The tests, which have received strong criticism from teaching unions and parents locally and nationally, examine Year 6 pupils in maths and English as Key Stage 2 science tests were discontinued.
In Cheshire West and Chester, at level four or higher – the accepted standard for children transferring to secondary school – 83% of pupils attained this level in English against the national average of 81% while 82% achieved this level for Maths where the average was 80% across England.
Above average results in English (35%) and average results in maths (35%) were achieved by the more gifted or able children achieving level five across Cheshire West and Chester.
The schools league tables, compiled from this year’s SATs are expected to be published early next year although many will regard the tables as corrupted and invalid given the substantial number of schools who registered their protest vote against SATs by not conducting them.
In addition, teacher assessments were published and they too provided positive results locally with children gaining level four in English (83%), Maths (83%) and Science (88%).
Education and Children Executive Member Cllr Arthur Harada said: “For the first time the Government has published the provisional figures earlier than normal but these may alter once figures are validated.
“The general trend, however, is that Cheshire West and Chester continues to perform above the national average.
“The results are also particularly pleasing because they are the first ones properly for Cheshire West and Chester Council. Teacher assessment results are very good.
“I would like to thank the Key Stage 2 pupils who will be starting high school next month, teachers, support staff, governors and parents for all their hard work in achieving these results which bode very well for the future of Cheshire West pupils and schools.”
