Exams chief: Written tests are a relic of 19th century

A top government adviser on school tests launched an astonishing attack on the exams system today.

Sir Tim Brighouse described GCSEs, A-levels and Sats as "deeply flawed" and condemned the widespread use of written exams as a relic of the 19th century.

He proposed a new primary school "graduation" ceremony, in which children celebrate their success in areas such as music and sport instead of the current narrow focus on Sats in English, maths and science.

Sir Tim, who led the Government's drive to improve schools in London, has been appointed by ministers to the expert panel reviewing Sats in the wake of last year's marking crisis. Results for more than one million children were delayed after a string of blunders.

Speaking at a conference organised by the National Union of Teachers and National Association of Head Teachers in King's Cross, Sir Tim said: "There is one bit of the system that looks like the 19th century. It's the assessment system. Don't put too much faith in exams. I think they are deeply flawed in some cases."

More use of teacher assessments instead of formal written exams is needed if children are to learn the team-work and communication skills employers want, he said.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has insisted that Sats for 11-year-olds are "here to stay". But Sir Tim called for moves away from the current system of external tests.

Sats are not a "reliable" way to assess national standards of education, and ministers have already scrapped tests for 14-year-olds, he said.

Instead of condemning children to be seen as a national curriculum "Level 2" or "Level4" on the basis of Sats, terms such as "apprentice reader" or "established reader" should be used.

Sir Tim called for a new "primary graduation" ceremony to be introduced by schools. "Why on earth do we not celebrate what they are good at - where a kid who's an absolutely brilliant singer says, 'I'm a young singer'."

Mr Balls is considering reforming Sats so that children are examined when they are ready rather than at the fixed age of 11.

The minister believes this will encourage teachers to help all pupils progress by at least two National Curriculum levels in every "key stage".

By the age of 11 children are expected to be at Level 4 in English, maths and science. But Sir Tim criticised the idea that all children would progress by two levels as "bizarre".

He said children developed at different rates and should not be penalised if they start slowly.