Standard Assessment Tests (FOI)

Request

I understand Jersey's Year 6 school children underwent SATS exams in 2017. I can't find any results on gov.je. I would like to know the average SATS score, by primary school, and also by the secondary school that they then entered in September. I would like to know the information for all schools in Jersey, including the private schools if possible.

For example: Primary school where SATS were taken / Average SAT score for Maths / Average SAT score for English reading / Number of pupils Secondary school / Average SAT score (obtained in year before entry to secondary school) for Maths / Average SAT score (obtained in year before entry to secondary school) for English reading / Number of pupils

Response

By ‘SATS exams’ we understand you to be referring to the ‘Standard Assessment Tests’ used by the UK Government’s Department for Education (DfE) for primary schools in England. This is an old term, now referred to as the ‘Key Stage 2 National Curriculum Tests’.

In England, the National Curriculum Tests are used at both the end of Key Stage 1 (ie end of Year 2, when most pupils are 7 years of age) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (ie end of Year 6, when most pupils are 11 years of age). These are used for three main purposes:

i. To measure pupils achievement against the National Curriculum in English and mathematics

ii. To hold primary schools accountable for standards achieved in their schools

iii. To set the benchmark for measuring the ‘value added’ by Secondary schools in holding these schools to account

The Jersey Education Department decided to investigate how to utilise elements of various standardised tests, not for the reasons cited above, but in order to strengthen and embed Teacher Assessment, whilst ensuring the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.

The key assessment used throughout Primary education is Teacher Assessment. This is supported by moderation, which includes the use of test data to ensure consistency between schools and validate teachers’ judgements. Jersey schools have used a wide range of tests and assessments for many years. In 2016, for example, Jersey piloted the use of an Island-wide test of 11 year olds in the September of their Year 7 school year to moderate Teacher Assessment. In 2017 we extended the pilot to utilise some of the tests in the May of children’s Year 6, for the same purpose of informing and strengthening our Teacher Assessments. In addition to the States of Jersey primary schools, five of the six private schools with Year 6 pupils chose to participate. Jersey schools do not use any Key Stage 1 Tests, and only elements of the Key Stage 2 Tests for the reasons stated above.

As you note, there is no publication of SAT results, as this is not used as a measure in Jersey. The equivalent measure is Teacher Assessment. Schools publish the Teacher Assessment outcomes of their pupils on their websites. This information is already in the public domain.

Data for individual schools is now published on their websites. A link to these is found below:

List of primary schools

The data sent to Secondary schools on each pupil is Teacher Assessment, moderated by both the year 6 test and wider moderation processes. Jersey Primary Schools share all academic assessment data with the child’s school at secondary transfer. Core to this is the teacher’s assessment of the individual pupil. This is informed by the outcomes of year 6 tests.

Whilst the Education department develops a wider understanding of how the use of testing contributes to raising standards, it is not in a position to release the information requested as this information is exempt under Article 35 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011(Formulation and development of policies).

If a parent has a child in Year 6, it is possible to request this information directly from schools, specific to the individual child, as is the case with any parent wishing to exercise their right to see information held by a school about their child.

Exemption applied

Article 35 Formulation and development of policies

Information is qualified exempt information if it relates to the formulation or development of any proposed policy by a public authority.

Public Interest Test

Article 35 is a qualified exemption, which means that a public interest test is required to be undertaken by the Department. It is therefore necessary for the Department to examine the circumstances of the case.

Following assessment the Department has to decide whether, on balance, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Although there is a need for transparency, the information requested relates to an ongoing process that is being monitored and developed by the Education Department. The data generated from the tests is used to directly inform the development of process and policy and therefore its release could affect future use of this information.

The Government needs safe space in which to rigorously explore and develop the best processes possible. For this reason, on balance, it is considered it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.