As the government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review considers its recommendations, new research reveals that over three-quarters of parents believe that SATs harm children’s mental health.
The survey conducted by WeThink for campaign group More Than A Score found that parents recognise the negative effects of the statutory tests in year 6: 77% agree that they harm the mental health of the 10- and 11-year-olds preparing for them.
SATs dominate school life in year 6 and earlier years but parents are ambivalent towards them, according to the research: 71% would not be concerned if the tests were removed and 77% believe that dropping them would make no difference to, or would improve, their child’s education.
Parents also agree that SATs should not be considered the benchmark for academic achievement: 68% believe that SATs results are the wrong way to measure children’s success in primary school.
Alison Ali, spokesperson for More Than A Score, comments, “Parents agree with school leaders and teachers – SATs do not help children and they do not help schools. The time for a fairer way to assess children is long overdue and we hope the Curriculum and Assessment Review recognises this.”
Research details:
WeThink, May 2024, survey of 1001 parents of children under 18