School performance results are up despite pupils failing tests

Primary school performance levels revealed on Thursday show that around 500 schools fell short of their target

14:40 13 December 2012

Despite the results for primary school performance levels reflecting positively after being revealed on Thursday, it has been stated that at least 500 schools failed to meet the government’s targets.

This relates to the subjects of maths and English with regards to national curriculum examinations for 11-year-old students. The results were published by the Department for Education and relate to over to 14,000 primary schools showing how pupils performed in their SATS tests.

It is understood that the pass/fail line was set at 60per cent, and those educational establishments that did not meet this could potentially face closure or other action from the Government.

Although, the boundary is that a school must fail on three points before they can may end up facing a compulsory academic alternative.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said: “Schools with a long history of underperformance and who are not stepping up to the mark face being taken over by an academy sponsor.

“The expertise and strong leadership provided by sponsors is the best way to turn around weak schools and give pupils there the best chance of a first-class education.”

On the other hand, the results are an improvement overall compared to 2011, where over 1,300 schools failed to meet their targets. Statistics on maths and English test results reflect positively, with the number of pupils passing both these subjects being up.

Based on reports, at least 500 schools achieved 100per cent pass rates for maths and English tests.

The good news is emphasised moreso by the fact that the Government increased targets to improve educational standards.

However, it is understood that there was no writing test for the English examination this year with regards to SATS.