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Upfront
Five is too young to fail
The NUT recently carried out a survey of its primary school members to find out what they think about the statutory year 1 Phonics Screening Check. When the test was piloted earlier this year, only 33 per cent of year 1 pupils passed.
Primary teacher members were asked a series of questions about the test and whether or not it will be beneficial to pupils. Over 80 per cent of the 1,264 respondents did not agree with the test and 90 per cent felt it would provide no additional information to teachers on children’s phonics knowledge.
The majority of teachers (84 per cent) were concerned about the impact on five- and six-year-olds of having to retake the test repeatedly if they failed it.
The same percentage believed the NUT’s Reading for Pleasure campaign (see
www.teachers.org.uk/reading. is a more important and relevant way to support children’s early reading.
Two-thirds of respondents agreed that the NUT should take action against the implementation of the test. For more information on the NUT’s phonics campaign read the conference report on page 27.
Have your say on exams
The NUT and other teaching unions are asking for your views on this year’s GCSE, AS and A2 exams. Your views will inform awarding bodies AQA, OCR and Edexcel.
Comments are invited on all aspects, including written papers, practical work and how the awarding bodies have presented the papers administratively. If you have something to say go to
www.teachers.org.uk/commentonexams.
Can they be trusted?
The School Food Trust charity has written to all academies asking them to confirm their commitment to meeting the national standards for healthy school meals.
Academies are not required to follow legislation ensuring that food provided in schools is nutritionally balanced.
Keep up to date with education and the NUT by following us on Twitter –
www.twitter.com/NUTonline for all the latest news and views. You can also stay informed by visiting
www.teachers.org.uk.
The charity will publish a list of academies that state their commitment to the standards as a resource for parents and others.
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk
Upfront Got a story? Email our newsdesk at
j.hulme@
nut.org.uk
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