Quality checks delay Key Stage 2 and 3 test results for 1.2m children

Alexandra Frean, Education Editor The results of national curriculum tests taken by 1.2 million children in England are to be delivered to schools a week late. Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, announced today that more time was needed to complete the marking of papers and “resolve technical issues”. At the same time, the new qualifications regulator Ofqual announced an independent inquiry into the reason for the delay, which it described as “unacceptable”. Parents and children hoping to receive the results before the end of term may now be disappointed. Results for Key Stage 2 are now expected to be received by schools on July 15, and for Key Stage 3 by the end of next week. The National Assessment Agency, the government agency responsible for the delivery of the tests, said it shared the disappointment and frustration caused... [read full story]