Do you think SATs should be abolished from primary schools?

Polls

26th April 2019

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that his party would abolish SATs once and for all if they were elected.

The Leader of the Opposition has promised to get rid of the formal tests in primary schools in England if he becomes prime minister in the next general election, calling SATs “extreme pressure testing”.

Mr Corbyn recently told teachers at the National Educational Union in Liverpool that the compulsory tests were leaving some children in floods of tears and giving others nightmares.

Mr Corbyn also recognised the stress the exams put on teachers.

This means that if Mr Corbyn’s Labour Party is voted into power at the next general election, SATs will be abolished for all seven-year-olds and 11-year-olds in England.

The news has been welcomed by many educational groups, teachers and parents. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “In reality, SATs do not tell teachers or parents anything they didn’t already know about their child or school, but have the negative unintended consequences of distracting from teaching and learning.”

However, not everyone is happy with the Labour leader’s announcement. England’s schools’ minister Nick Gibb said: “They [SATs] have been pivotal in raising standards in our primary schools.

It would enormously damage our education system and undo decades of improvement in children’s reading and maths.”

Do you think SATs should be abolished from primary schools?

84 Comments

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rebecca.xo · 5 years ago

It to much pressure to do SATS and it isn’t even helping us!

orangefrog · 5 years ago

Personally I think SATS are fun, although I have currently only done mocks and so have not experienced the full tension. I also think that whilst SATS may be stressful most (if not all) schools make up for it in some way (exiting trips, theme parks e.t.c) and if SATS we’re abloished then those would be too.

orangefrog · 5 years ago

Maybe they could make the SATS shorter or grade you based on your class work.

finbob207 · 5 years ago

Teachers say it’s them being tested on how much they have taught you, so it’s nothing to worry about really.

finbob207 · 5 years ago

I also really like tests for some reason.

finbob207 · 5 years ago

I’ve realised I’m first to post (3) comments.

natalija · 5 years ago

No. SATs should not be stopped because it helps children test their abilities and for secondary schools to get an idea of their new pupils. It will also gets them used to other exams they will get later.

sloth2008 · 5 years ago

I think SATs should be abolished as they are stressful for pupils. I'm in Year 6 and really don't want to do SATs.

no.1 · 5 years ago

SATS are so stressful and it puts presser on us kids

puppy123 · 5 years ago

I am taking the SATS next week so I say no as they add a lot of unnecessary stress and worry to the pupils and also the staff. We do crazy amounts of practice for them, and they really pressurise everyone.

mrfrosty · 5 years ago

YES!
I am in year 6 but am not sitting my SATs this year because it puts pressure on the teachers and pupils also children have to miss other subjects such as PE and art to practise for them.

zebra10 · 5 years ago

No they are really useful and i kinda wana do em

eggman · 5 years ago

i think sats are a big burden to year 6 so they should be permanently cancelled for ever

joep101 · 5 years ago

I think SATS should be abolished because it puts too much pressure on both children and teachers. Also, it is not used much in Secondary School because you do tests at the start of the year anyway

azor24 · 5 years ago

I think SATs should be abolished from primary schools because so much pressure is being put on schools nowadays, especially for the Y6 and Y2 chrildren. It distracts the teacher (and the students!) from actually learning and too much focus is being put on the tests, causing alot of stress.

aim123 · 5 years ago

I think SATs shouldn"t be gotten rid of as it gives the secondary school teachers good impressions of how you are doing in your education

edmonds123 · 5 years ago

first to comment

edmonds123 · 5 years ago

no because sats establish what children need to be taught until they move up into eiether a high school or just ks2 sats are also good for preparing them selfs for test that might come up in the future labour party should think the same because it will just lead to dumber children in the future!!!

orangeplum · 5 years ago

Children need to do SATs , DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If they don't, they won't find out their cleverness, and if they're stupid(i mean the ones with TERRIBLE grades), they'll always get detention in secondary school.

But if you're not good at ANYTHING - sports, music, grades, etc - you're a nerd.

ralphspo06 · 5 years ago

Yes, I really do hope SATS go away for Primary Schoolers because it put a lot of stress onto me when I had to study for it in year 6. I would really hate it if the same things happen to children younger than me. I propose an idea to schools. They grade and mark the child's progress through their bookwork.

cellogirl · 5 years ago

SATs are great practice exams for secondary school, and fun to work for. I am preparing for my SATs at the moment, and I am finding it a great experience!

icestarz · 5 years ago

I think that SATs just add on extra pressure and while it might prepare you for later exams, they don't really do anything.

mia-18 · 5 years ago

Schools are meant to be developing your personality and having sovial experoence aswell as learning. Schools cant expect kids to get top grades if there is so much stress and pressure on them. So i agree with jeremy

yussy2006 · 5 years ago

I don't think so, most kids think that we should get rid of it, but it all depends on our future, I'm in year 7 and when I did SATs, that's what got me into the top set, and maybe kids do think its hard but its all worth it at the end, it all depends on our future. Like if you get rid of A levels then you wouldn't know what to be when you're older and etc, and if you don't do SATs then your teachers wouldn't know what your weak areas are.

oliver2008 · 5 years ago

first to comment! i think SATS should be banned because i gives stress to people who are quit young and are nt mature enough.

mcgeorge1 · 5 years ago

Yes because when the year 6 do there SATs really there just getting a lot of un-necessary tests as the SATs will just be done again in secondary school.

darth_bob · 5 years ago

I think that a lot of children automatically panic when they hear SATs and that can lower their self esteem while also have needless worrying. However, grades of teaching are needed. I think that as pupils' work is already assessed at the end of the year that should be enough to determine the standard without having students panicking.

darth_bob · 5 years ago

First to comment

dybala9 · 5 years ago

No because I think it’s good to have a recap on all your learning . To help depression with sats , parents and teachers shouldn’t tell their children/student so they don’t know.

coolshark1 · 5 years ago

Because then the seconday/junior school wouldn't know how smart they are

coolshark1 · 5 years ago

Because then the seconday/junior school wouldn't know how smart they are

larabass123 · 5 years ago

No because the exams can help children prepare and gives them learning techniques for the future.

man2009 · 5 years ago

NO!
I think they are important as they are often used to put people of the same ability in the same class’ as it is easier for the teachers to pitch the lessons.

sao · 5 years ago

No, as SATS gets children prepared for future exams like GCSE and A levels. Aso SATS encourages children ( including me) to work hard.

sao · 5 years ago

Although it is hard work, not every day is. And Sats is just there to test our knowledge- just writing everything we know onto paper.

cellogirl · 5 years ago

Many children, when it comes to year 6, have never taken proper exams before. They need the experience so they know what to do in their secondary schools.

sambrophy · 5 years ago

SATs should not be abolished because primary school children need to learn how to be resilient in life and the tests really do help that, as the tests can be stressful.

sandwichbo · 5 years ago

I felt unsure ? but it’s so much pressure like Rebecca.xo said

lavender08 · 5 years ago

I think they should be as not all students and parents understand that they are the benefit of the teachers and the schools. Some parents may pressurize their children, or the students may even put pressure on themselves.

lilpenguin · 5 years ago

Yes, it just puts pressure on children and makes them really stressed. I know because I am just about to do my SATS and it is so stressfull!

azor24 · 5 years ago

I think SATs should be abolished because alot of pressure is being put on the students, it distracts the teacher (and the pupils!) from real learning and too much focus is put on the tests, causing stress.

swace · 5 years ago

I am torn in the middle really. SATS puts too much pressure on not only the children but adults as well. The predicted grades after SATS don't often correspond to the correct level they should be at in secondary school. This causes confusion in classes making it too easy for children in maths or too hard.

teamgorbo1 · 5 years ago

I think SATS should be banned because it puts unnecessary pressure on pupils. In my opinion, it is just a test for the school: most secondary schools have a test when you start in year seven. In my school we have been missing most of our afternoon lessons due to SATS revision. How can this be called a well -rounded education!

oiiginess · 5 years ago

If nobody took SATs then they would get the wrong level of education in high school
And would either struggle In a high set
Or find it too easy in a lower set and waste time either doing well on tests and moving up over the years or moving down.

dog13 · 5 years ago

Yes, SATs put to much pressure on children.

catonclan · 5 years ago

In my school we do not do SATs but we do do yearly exams. We do this because it helps us get used to the felling of exams so we are not so stress about things like common entrance or A levels. I believe it helps us as a school however I do not think it is helpful to do mock exams for SATs and other exams in Primary school.

hptigers · 5 years ago

I think that SATs shouldn't be banned because although they (in some schools) are very stressful they give you somewhere to work from in secondary schools and they let you know where you are in your learning. Lots of schools do lots of brilliant, fun activities afterwards which kind of make up for it.

ginnywise · 5 years ago

SATs are stressing, and most of us feel that it is not even the slightest bit beneficial. I personally think that they have no aim too, and plus, we're going to do tests in our secondary schools.

ginnywise · 5 years ago

TOO MUCH TO HANDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

emeve · 5 years ago

No because they're are putting too much pressure on children. I've seen my friends cry over the pressure of it. Also, it's not just the children- the teachers are as well. They take that out on the children. Basically, it's a vicious circle.

pixiedog · 5 years ago

I see why we do SATS but the amount of stress that some people go through while doing it is horrible. I think we should stop doing in year 2 but stick with it in year 6

piggy0101 · 5 years ago

I don't think SATS should be banned from schools because SATS are the first official experience you are going to get of hardcore tests, and it gets you used to test conditions before secondary school.

meadwaym · 5 years ago

I did my SATs last year and they really are more of a test for the schools and teachers rather than you so what is the point for kids to do them!!

dcfan · 5 years ago

SATs should not be abolished. My reasons are:some people like tests , they show how well your school is teaching,they are good practice for GCSEs and A Levels and they help your secondary school group you according to your ability.

josh_h · 5 years ago

I say NO because its good for children in Y2 and Y6 to have some extra practice before KS2 and after KS2. But they should change SATS in certain ways?

pippa08 · 5 years ago

Personally, I think SATS should stay in schools as it would be good for your new schools to know what you struggle with, so they don't give you work that you can't do. If you don't mind about your score anyway, then it can just be a normal random test.

tata_2019 · 5 years ago

Since I've already done my SATs, I don't think that they should be abolished, because:
- The SATs test you on how much you know about that topic
- When the teacher(s) mark your SATs paper(s), it gives them an idea on what they would need to cover
again
- When the teacher(s) mark your paper(s), they know what you're struggling on.
- It helps the teacher(s) with their lesson plan :)

tata_2019 · 5 years ago

As I'm in Year7 and this year, I will be going into Year8 - I am used to this amount of hard work and how to cope with .

tata_2019 · 5 years ago

As I'm in Year7 and this year, I will be going into Year8 - I am used to this amount of hard work and how to cope with this level of stress.

lucky810 · 5 years ago

yes because people can learn more

lotussk8er · 5 years ago

I think that the SATs exams help teachers to find out who needs more help than others so it’s very important

drduck · 5 years ago

I just did my SATS and they are really helpful! They made me realise i CAN do it! My teacher says they are to see how far we have gone from September!

pmgk13 · 5 years ago

I am currently in year 7 but I have friends who have just finished SATs and I remember how stressful they were. Year 6 students should get more time to focus on the transfer to secondary school and should be able to work at their own level until then

pmgk13 · 5 years ago

SATs don't really help children and schools should focus more on preparing children for the transfer to secondary school. I am a year 7 student and I remember how stressful it was.

dog_lover2 · 5 years ago

I did SATS last week and there is SO MUCH PRESSURE!!!!!! They also take a lot of time and energy out of you and you end up feeling super tired at the end of them. I think there would be much less pressure without them.

robin12red · 5 years ago

Yes! Schools make out that they are a big deal, when really it's just a load of extra pressure, what with secondary school soon as well. Also it disrupts our routine and it also is made out like its some really big deal when actualy the teachers are just making you work harder just so some useless test can show how good at teaching they are! So basically it's just a load of faff. Having sat my SATs I can tell you it is stressful for some and one of my friends actually felt sick because of the nerves you get.

fernanda10 · 5 years ago

I have done my SATS this year and they are stressful but nothing to worry about but still abolish them because they are only a test that sees how well your school is teaching you NOT how well you do. ALWAYS go into SATS with a positive view!

asbml · 5 years ago

SATS are for teachers to know how much you've learnt. It also helps Oxford see how much this school has improved from last year.
Also they are no bother. All the questions are super easy.

swrdesiro9 · 5 years ago

I personally think we should have them. so that when we go to secondary school they know what set to be put into and if you get a good grade then the higher the set you are, I did my sats last year anyway and I found it really easy, I ended up having time to spare to doodle in my sketchbook, If I could I would make SATS harder

tillybeans · 5 years ago

I did my SATs last year and they help you determine what classes and teachers you get. If you got the wrong class/teacher, you may really struggle in what class you are in.

It isn’t fun doing all the revision but it pays off in the end and feels like a real accomplishment when you get your SATs results back.

torm · 5 years ago

The stats were really fun and at high school we will have to do tests.

PinaEgg123 · 5 years ago

SATS are literally the worst in Year 6! Our teachers get so stressed about it and all the students panic because it's the first ever big exam, and we got told that we'd have to retake them in Year 7 if we failed (kind of like GCSEs) which just made everybody even more scared!

PinaEgg123 · 5 years ago

And after all that they don't even affect us, it's just for the school to look good!
I think the SATS that we did in Year 2 were better than the Year 6 ones, because we didn't get told about them in advance and therefore we didn't have to stress or get worried about them. Also, it would portray a more accurate representation of students' actual levels of work and progress, because sometimes people mess about during class but then are different in exams, which is similar to what happens when Ofsted come and want to see how the school is doing. It is like that with SATS, as they want to see how the children are doing, but if they want an accurate representation, I think the best way to do it would be to do it without telling them, in order to save worry and inaccuracy.

bin1260 · 5 years ago

Though it gives an idea to your secondary school about your academic level, I think that SATs should be banned, as when doing job interviews and things that will take you far in life, you are not asked for your SATs score but your GCSE or A-level grades

holholster · 5 years ago

I'm in Y6 so I have just done my SATs tests. Trust me, there is absolutely NOTHING to worry about! The actual test is a lot easier than the ones you will have been practicing in school! Your parents will be proud no matter how you do! :)

fishgirl2 · 5 years ago

My friend is really stressed out because of SATs

thehkh · 5 years ago

Tests are an important thing. They help us get ready for the future and teach us how to cope with stress and worry. Sats are fun. They help your school teach you better.

lfcrules · 5 years ago

I come from Wales i don’t do SATS but i still put no

peebi0412 · 5 years ago

In my opinion, we shouldn’t abolish SATs because I’m in secondary school ? now and SATs has prepared me for bigger, harder exams.

?

flute123 · 5 years ago

Keep SATS or it will be unfair for people who have already done it like me. Also it's not as bad as it looks and you always do fun stuff after.
#Save SATS
Yay!

flute123 · 5 years ago

It's a recap of all the stuff you've learnt.

unicorn36 · 4 years ago

I think sats should stay because if not then primary children won't get an idea of what high school tests are like. When I did sats i didn't think it was too much pressure

19jm07 · 4 years ago

it gives you something to work up to but it always ends in tears for a few people, as some people show off about it.

panda89 · 4 years ago

i think they should be abolished because my mum thinks they should be because she thinks there pointleess because there’s so much pressure and the teachers shout at us and it s realleeeeeeee BORING