Wide of the mark

At least two schools are considering sending back their English Standard Attainment Tests (Sats) for Year Nine pupils after doubts were raised about the marking standard.

Senior teachers also complained that the results were sent back late, many only being received this week, the last week of term, putting extra pressure on staff preparing for the next academic year.

The national examining body who are responsible for the tests has admitted that changes to the marking system created delays, but said the marking standard had not been affected.

Hugh Porter, who heads Joseph Rowntree School, said many marks were inconsistent with grades achieved in other areas and the expectations of teachers.

He said: "We are very unhappy with the quality of the marking and we will be sending a large number back for remarking. Many marks were lower than expected."

Fulford School head teacher Stephen Smith said the school was considering whether to return a number of papers for high achieving pupils who had received lower grades than expected.

He said the marking on some papers was "scrappy" and the inconsistent results made it more difficult to place pupils in appropriate sets for next term.

But at Huntington School, head teacher Chris Bridge said although the test results were received late, teachers were "very happy" with them.

He said there have been problems with inconsistency in the marking of English tests in previous years.

A spokesman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said schools could send papers back for review if they are not satisfied with the marking.

He said English papers are split into reading and writing and markers only worked on one type this year for the first time. He said the delay had been created in waiting for the two marks to be joined.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said: "We have been made aware of the issue by a handful of schools who we are helping with support and advice."

Updated: 10:19 Tuesday, July 20, 2004