Posted on Friday 22nd Apr 2016
The schools minister has been forced to cancel a national spelling test for England's primary schools, after a teacher spotted it had already been published online as a practice paper.
Nick Gibb said this was a "clearly regrettable incident".
More than half a million seven-year-olds had been due to take the test next month, as part of their Sat tests.
Head teachers' leaders, who had called for the scrapping of the test, welcomed the decision.
It follows the discovery that part of the English test paper had been mistakenly published on the Department for Education's website, for use as practice material, and had been available there for three months - potentially giving some pupils a clear advantage.
The blunder was initially spotted by a teacher at a school that was carrying out an official trial of the test, using the paper that was to be taken by pupils around England.
"We have no way of knowing how extensively it has been used by schools and parents," said Russell Hobby, the leader of the National Association of Head Teachers.
Mr Hobby said the schools minister had acted "quickly and appropriately" in cancelling this part of the Sats tests for seven-year-olds.
Mr Gibb issued a statement saying: "To remove any uncertainty and clarify the situation for schools, I have decided that we will remove the requirement on them to administer the Key Stage 1 grammar, punctuation and spelling test for this year only."
He said that no other test papers for Key Stage 1 pupils appeared to have been affected.
The schools minister also announced there would be a "root and branch inquiry" into the Standards and Testing Agency, an agency of the Department for Education that sets tests.
A statement from the Standards and Testing Agency said the mistaken publishing of the words to be tested, rather than another sample, was the result of "human error".
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
17/09/25More school-starters missing key skills, teachers say
Schools are "picking up the pieces" as more children start reception without key skills such as speaking in full sentences or using the toilet independently, teaching unions have told the BBC.
16/09/25Parents Protest against SEND plans
‘Our children matter’: parents protest against government’s Send overhaul plans
02/09/25School to expand on land earmarked for graveyard
A number of schools in Kent are set to expand, including one on to land previously reserved for a graveyard, in an effort to meet growing demand for school places.
14/07/25AI revolution to give teachers more time with pupils
Pupils across England will benefit from more face-to-face time with teachers as the government forges ahead with plans to harness the power of AI to deliver educational excellence.
08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says
Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.
News Archive