Purpose of P1 tests to be published in overhaul

National assessments for primary pupils will be reformed following feedback from teachers, education secretary John Swinney has said.

A forum comprised mainly of P1 teachers has recommended a “clear national rationale” is published setting out possible purposes and uses of the tests.

It also recommends each school sets out its own specific purposes and policy for the tests. Staff would make their own decisions about how and when they were conducted, and how the data is “woven into professional conversations about children, teaching and the curriculum”.

The forum also wants safeguards to avoid the tests becoming high stakes, for either children or teachers.

Further recommendations include stronger guidance on how teachers interact with and support children during the tests, covering how much help to give, what help not to provide and when breaks would be appropriate.

The forum also recommends guidance on how the tests can be delivered compatibly with a playbased classroom and making guidance available online. The 22 recommendations are made in a report by the P1 Practitioner Support Forum formed to give P1 teachers a voice on the tests.