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Labour repeats pledge to drop baseline test
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Apr 17, 2019By Rachel Lawler
Jeremy Corbyn has reiterated Labour's pledge to scrap the baseline assessment for reception classes if elected.
Speaking at the National Education Union (NEU) conference, he said: 鈥淲e鈥檒l scrap the government鈥檚 planned new baseline assessments for reception classes because they can鈥檛 give accurate comparisons between schools when pupils have such different backgrounds.鈥
Baseline tests
Currently, the Department for Education (DfE) plans to replace Key Stage 1 SATs with a baseline assessment taken in the first term of reception year. The tests will be used to measure the children鈥檚 progress while at primary school.
The Labour leader also pledged to drop SATs in favour of a 鈥渕ore flexible and practical system of assessment鈥, reflecting the party's position as previously outlined in its 2017 manifesto.
The NEU is due to ballot its members on a potential boycott of the SATs next year after conference delegates voted in favour of the poll.
"Free childcare"
Corbyn also used the speech to reiterate Labour鈥檚 plans to offer 30 hours of 鈥渇ree early years provision鈥 for all two-, three- and four-year-olds in England.
He said: 鈥淐hildren who get a good start in life at pre-school do so much better in schools and beyond. I want all children in every part of the country to get that good start.鈥
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