Adviser adds to pressure to scrap Sats

SCHOOLS Secretary Ed Balls came under pressure today from his top education adviser to scrap primary school Sats.

Sir Jim Rose, who is reviewing primary education for Mr Balls, agreed with MPs on a Commons committee that teachers spend too long preparing children for tests.

He called for action to tackle the issue, saying that in the current system such a focus is "almost inevitable". He added: "We must try and shake that off somehow or another."

Sir Jim's remarks came despite an explicit order from Mr Balls not to touch the issue of testing in his review of primary education.

Last week, the minister announced that Sats for 14 year-olds were being axed with immediate effect.

But every 11 year-old in England will continue to take Sats in maths, English and science at the end of primary school, Mr Balls said.

Sir Jim told the schools select committee that primary education was "not in crisis". However, he said that testing and assessment is a "big wicket" that needs to be dealt with.

He is due to give his interim findings on the future of primary education in the next few weeks.