Posted on Wednesday 19th Apr 2017
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has voted against balloting members on a boycott of primary school tests, known as Sats, in England.
Delegates at the union's conference rejected a resolution to ballot members over a protest against primary school tests for the academic year 2017-18.
They also agreed not to "support and promote a parent boycott" of the 2017 national curriculum tests (Sats).
The vote came despite two sessions of argument in favour of action.
A vote on a separate motion earlier in the conference backed moves to consider a ballot of membership over a boycott of tests in 2017-18 at a later stage, if there was enough support.
Opposing the motion, Sasha Elliott, a teacher from east London, said: "I've been coming to conference for over a decade, I've made speeches about the wickedness of Sats, ending Sats has to remain one of our union's highest priorities.
"But I'd like to think that we've learned from our past efforts to end these Sats, we have to admit we've been unsuccessful.
"This motion presents us with some serious problems... It's a waste of a precious ballot."
Latest News
11/12/20Covid-19 tests for secondary school pupils in parts of London, Kent and Essex
Mass testing will be rolled out to secondary school children in the worst-affected areas of London, Kent and Essex, the health secretary has said.
10/12/20Covid: Schools in England can close for Christmas a day early
Schools in England will be allowed to close a day early for Christmas to give teachers "a proper break" from identifying potential Covid-19 cases.
03/12/20Top teacher wins $1m and gives half away
A teacher from a village school in India, praised for improving the education of girls, has won this year's Global Teacher Prize.
30/11/20Will schools shut a week early this Christmas term over fears of Covid-19 isolating?
Will schools shut a week early this Christmas term over fears of Covid-19 isolating? Kent head teachers have their say
13/10/20Students to be given more time to prepare for 2021 exams
Exams will go ahead next summer, underpinned by contingencies for all possible scenarios.