Commenting on the announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of plans to introduce standardised testing of pupils as part of the National Improvement Framework, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland, said:

“The NASUWT does not object in principle to the use of standardised tests in informing judgements about pupil progress. However, the critical factor is the use to which the outcomes of the tests are put.

“When the proposal to introduce standardised testing was first raised last year, it inevitably generated concerns from teachers and school leaders that it could lead to the introduction of league tables.

“The NASUWT welcomes the stated commitment of the First Minister that the Scottish Government has no interest in the re-introduction of such crude accountability measures which rather than help to raise standards, distract schools from focusing on providing high-quality education for every child.

“Teachers and school leaders will looking to the First Minister to ensure this promise is kept.

“It will be important that these tests are used to inform teacher assessment, not replace it, in order to prevent the growth of a ‘teaching to the test’ culture which would constrain children’s learning experiences and narrow the curriculum.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:

“The NASUWT will be seeking to work closely with the Scottish Government and Employers in the development of all areas of the National Improvement Framework, including the proposals around professional development for teachers and school self-evaluation, where key concerns remain.

“If the aim of closing the attainment gap is to be achieved it will be critical that concerns from teachers and school leaders about a lack of support to implement reforms to the curriculum are addressed in every school and that the introduction of standardised testing does not further drive up teacher workload, distracting them from focusing on teaching and learning."