05.03.13
Performance targets raised for primary schools
Tougher targets for primary schools could mean more are ranked as ‘under-performing’. Schools minister David Laws will announce today that schools will be deemed under-performing if under 60% of pupils do not reach a satisfactory standard in reading, writing and maths.
Speaking at a conference of the Association of School and College leaders, Laws is to raise the targets to the majority of pupils reaching level 4 on their SATs. Those schools that do not achieve this could risk being taken over by an academy sponsor.
In 2012, 476 primary schools underperformed compared to 1,310 in 2011.
Laws will say: “We must ensure that a far higher proportion of pupils are ‘secondary ready’ by the end of their primary school.
“This will allow them not simply to cope, but thrive, when presented with the challenges and opportunities of secondary school ... The figures do not lie – a pupil who manages a low level four by the end of primary school is unlikely to go on to achieve five good GCSEs.”
But Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “England's primary schools have been improving steadily for many years, nearly doubling the rate of children leaving with the expected standards.
“There is no lack of ambition. The expected reward for that performance is always a shifting of the goal posts, so it will be no surprise to heads that the floor standard is shifting again next year. Raising the bar while reducing resources will, however, do little for standards.
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