Schools sending SATs papers back

Primary schools across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are to send test papers back for re-marking amid fresh claims today that results have been "tarnished" by delays and inaccurate scores.Key Stage 2 results for 11 year olds were published yesterday after a long delay due to problems with marking and inputting data. They showed more pupils reaching the required standard in maths and science.

But Shropshire's two education authorities are still reflecting national concern about late or missing results and inaccuracies in marking.

Telford & Wrekin, for example, is shown to have the worst literacy results in the West Midlands with no more than 26 pupils making the grade.

But Stephen Burrell, the council's lead member for children and young people's services, said it had noted a "significant number" of incorrect or missing English papers and did not consider the results a true representation of pupils' performance.

"The majority of our schools have received their results but, unfortunately, these are tarnished by the fiasco in marking," he said.

"Three of our schools have yet to receive their complete set of marks, while a number of others have felt it necessary to send their test papers back for remarking."

The results painted a "skewed overall picture" he added.

Anne Gribbin, senior school improvement advisor for Shropshire County Council, said pupils had achieved "very good results" above the national figure in all subjects.

But she added: "These are only provisional results because of the well-reported difficulties with the administration and marking of this year's SATs.

"This means many schools have incomplete results and have not been able to report achievements to children and their parents. Some schools which have had results are reporting very inaccurate marking and are intending to send scripts off for remarking in September."

Ann Hartley, county council cabinet member for children's services, added: "The whole debacle has been very demoralising."

By Dave Morris