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Primary school performance bands delayed until 2014 Primary school performance bands delayed until 2014
(40 minutes later)
The introduction of performance bands for primary schools has been delayed until 2014 by the Welsh government.The introduction of performance bands for primary schools has been delayed until 2014 by the Welsh government.
The delay will allow time for the introduction of new reading and numeracy tests, Education Minister Leighton Andrews said. The delay will allow time for the introduction of new reading and numeracy tests, says Education Minister Leighton Andrews.
Primary schools were first told to expect provisional bands at Easter, with final rankings by the summer. But he denied that the announcement was a u-turn.
Secondary schools were placed in five bands in December. Primaries were first told to expect provisional bands at Easter, with final rankings by summer. Secondary schools were put into five bands in December.
More to follow.. Banding is a key part of an attempt by the Welsh government to drive up standards in education. It has rejected claims by teaching unions that it amounts to naming and shaming schools.
Mr Andrews pointed to findings by the schools inspectorate Estyn, which has highlighted difficulties with the way children are assessed, so-called teacher assessment.
Mr Andrews said: "On the basis of all this evidence I do not feel we currently have sufficiently robust data to be used in the calculation of bands for primary schools.
"We need to wait until we have data which are based on more consistently standardised, and therefore, more robust data."
The tests will be in place on a statutory basis from next year.
"These tests will be subject to a more stringent level of quality assurance and standardisation and will therefore provide data which is more reliable for the calculation of bands," Mr Andrews said.
But he stressed there was no intention of ditching the banding policy - a Welsh Labour manifesto commitment.
Wales has relied on teacher assessments to measure the progress of primary school children since the abolition of Sats in 2004.