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
24/08/22BTEC and Cambridge Technicals results delay - government releases new statement
Government orders exam boards Pearson and OCR to give regular updates
02/08/22Vocational and training qualifications decline during pandemic By Robbie Meredith
The number of vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) awarded in Northern Ireland fell by about 20% during the Covid pandemic.
19/01/22What are the Covid rules in schools and will they stay open this term?
Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England's secondary school classrooms from 20 January.
17/01/22Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places needed over the next five years
Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places will be needed over the next five years.
11/01/22Covid: Face mask refusals in some of England's secondary schools spark parents' concern
Secondary school pupils in England returned from the Christmas break this week to new advice – to wear face coverings in lessons and to take lateral flow tests at school before heading into classrooms.