ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
MARCH 2010
INTRODUCTION
This document provides information and advice on the introduction of new Key Stage 2 sample tests in science from 2010, following the discontinuation of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum science tests.
In order to be able to monitor national standards in science at the end of Key Stage 2, the Government will introduce a system of externally-marked science sampling from 2010. The Government’s intention is that the sample tests will allow standards in Key Stage 2 science to be tracked over time. It has said that it will not provide any data on the progress of individual local authorities, schools or pupils.
Will my school be chosen for the sample tests?
Not unless your school has already been notified. Approximately 775 schools have been selected to undertake the sample tests in 2010 by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA), which should provide a representative sample of schools across the country.
A new random sample of schools will be constructed every year. As only five per cent of pupils will be involved in the sample tests each year, it is unlikely, although not impossible, that an individual school would be chosen to participate for two consecutive years.
How will I know if my school has been chosen?
The QCDA has notified schools which have been selected to take part in the sample tests. They will be statutorily required to administer them on Friday, 14 May 2010. It will provide them with detailed information about the test arrangements. The QCDA will also informschools’ local authorities about their participation.
Does my school have to take part in the sample tests?
As the Key Stage 2 science sample tests are statutory, all schools which are selected by the QCDA are required to administer them.
Do all the Year 6 pupils in my school have to take the sample tests?
If your school is selected to participate in the sample tests, all Year 6 pupils who, in the opinion of the head teacher, are working at or above level 3 in science, will be required to take the tests.
Does my school have to order the sample test papers?
The science sampling test materials will be automatically despatched to schools in May and will reflect schools 2010 test orders for National Curriculum tests, including any modified versions of test papers. Schools will automatically receive all necessary administration materials with the test paper delivery.
What will the sample tests be like?
In 2010, the sample test will use the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 science papers (tests A and B), as these have already been developed. In subsequent years a new format for testing may be developed.
Will I have to mark the sample tests?
The sample tests will be externally marked, so no teacher will be required to undertake this work. The QCDA will be responsible for recruiting and managing the sample test markers.
How will the results of the sample tests be reported?
Participating schools will receive a summary of performance by attainment target at school level in September 2010. The DCSF will report the proportion of children who attained level 4 or above nationally in the tests at the start of the autumn term. Results of the tests at local authority and school level will not be published, because the sample tests are designed to provide information on the national progress of pupils in science at the end of Key Stage 2. Schools will therefore report only levels arrived at by the teacher assessment for science at the end of Key Stage 2.
Will Ofsted and local authorities use my school’s sample test results?
The sample test results will only be published at national level, based on the aggregated results of all the pupils who participated in a particular year. The QCDA is clear that:
“As science sampling has been designed to monitor attainment at a national level, the outcomes will not be used for school accountability purposes. The outcomes will not be provided to Ofsted or local authorities.”
Will the results be reported to parents?
The QCDA has said the following:
“As schools participating in science sampling will not receive outcomes for individual pupils, they will be unable to report these to parents. Schools should continue to report overall teacher assessment levels to parents and QCDA on the progress of individual pupils.”
Where can I find out more information about the sample tests?
The QCDA has established a dedicated section of its website on the sampling arrangements at
NUT ADVICE
As the sample tests in science are similar to the national sample testing model proposed by the NUT as a replacement for the high-stakes National Curriculum Key Stage 2 tests, they will not be included in the ballot ofleadership group members to boycott the Key Stage 2 tests in 2010. The Union has urged the Government to replace the remaining Key Stage 2 statutory tests by sample tests.
Members in schools participating in the sample tests areadvised to adhere to the QCDA’s guidance “schools should continue to carry out their existing plans for teaching and learning of science”. Members should not actively prepare Year 6 pupils to take the tests by, for example:
- focusing lesson plans on previous National Curriculum test questions;
- asking pupils to sit practice test papers; or
- practising the completion of work within National Curriculum test time limits.
Members who feel under pressure to prepare pupils for the sample science tests should contact their NUT school representative in the first instance, otherwise their NUT division/association for advice.
The sample tests should not generate any additional workload for teachers, as they will be marked externally and schools will continue to report teachers’ assessments of pupil performance in science at the end of Key Stage 2 as they do now.
If members have concerns about the implications for their workload arising from any proposals in their school about the identification of pupils who would be eligible to participate in the sample tests, they should contact their NUT school representative in the first instance, otherwise their NUT division/association for advice.
Where individual schools or local authorities suggest that APP science materials or additional forms of teacher assessment should be used to determine the eligibility of pupils to take the sample tests, members are advised to consult the NUT guidance on APP, which is available to download from the NUT website under Education Policies > Assessment.
As no individual results will be received for pupils, it would be good practice to discuss with pupils why the tests are being conducted.