Thank you for contacting me about primary assessments this academic year.
In light of the rapid increase in coronavirus cases, and the clear evidence that the new variant of the virus is more transmissible, Ministers felt that, reluctantly, they had to close schools to all but the children of key workers and vulnerable children. I know this will be distressing for children and families up and down the country. I welcome reassurances from the Prime Minister and the Department for Education that schools and other educational settings will be open again as soon as they are clear that it is safe to do so.
In light of the new circumstances, Ministers have confirmed that SATs will not be going ahead this year. Ministers recognise that proceeding with these assessments would be an additional burden on schools, and it is very important that all our efforts are focused on welcoming students back into the classroom at the earliest opportunity.
Although this is clearly not a situation anyone wanted, I am pleased that progress has been made with regards to remote education provision. Schools are in a better position to provide remote education and clear, legally binding expectations having been set out by the Department for Education. Schools are expected to provide between three and five teaching hours a day, depending on a child’s age. In addition, more than 560,000 laptops and tablets have been delivered to those children who need them, with hundreds of thousands more due to be delivered.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
January 2021