John Swinney defends controversial school tests

Education Secretary John Swinney has defended standardised assessments “at all stages” amid calls to scrap the tests for younger pupils.

Standardised assessments were introduced for P1, P4, P7 and S3 pupils last year but teachers have told the EIS trade union they have caused anxiety and pressure on pupils, especially among primary one pupils.

Critics have said testing children so young goes against the principle of Curriculum for Excellence, which is supposed to focus on health and wellbeing until a child is eight.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have pledged to force a vote at Holyrood on the tests, which could pose problems for the SNP minority government.

Swinney gave a statement to MPs yesterday stating he thought improved guidance and support introduced this year would address the concerns.

The tests would help teachers assess the progress of pupils’ learning, he said.

"I am confident that as we continue to refine and enhance the assessments they will prove to be a positive experience for children and young people and provide a range of valuable information for teachers and parents," he said.

The EIS accused Swinney of “ignoring the evidence” presented by the union.

Assistant Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “It is difficult to reconcile the importance that the Cabinet Secretary appears to attribute to the role of teacher judgement in assessment with his apparent dismissal of the majority of those 460 voices which found SNSAs to be deeply problematic, especially for P1.

“The evidence strongly refutes that the P1 assessments are in keeping with the play-based pedagogy that should be the cornerstone of Early Level learning and teaching.”

Opposition education spokespeople warned the government would be defeated on the issue.

Labour Education spokesperson Iain Gray said: “In Primary 1 at least, they should be suspended, I believe that is the view of the Scottish Parliament, and I hope we will have the chance to demonstrate that as soon as possible.”

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer said the tests would be scrapped “sooner or later” by parliament.

“John Swinney should cut his losses and just scrap them now,” he said.