Primary school spelling tests 'too obscure' claims Education Secretary

Spelling tests for primary school leavers are “too obscure,” the new Education Secretary has claimed, instead suggesting pupils should learn how to communicate in all forms.

Lucy Powell has suggested she would consider changing the spelling, punctuation and grammar exams that are currently undertaken by Year Six students.

The SPAG test has been in place since 2013 after it was introduced by the coalition Government and is a compulsory part of English state schools.

Last week, it was revealed that in 2019 Ms Powell said she was opposed to “draconian” spelling tests in primary schools, arguing they should in fact be focused on “creativity”.

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The comments were brought up to Ms Powell in a BBC Radio 5 Live interview, in which she was asked if she stood by the comments.

She replied: “Look, spelling’s obviously important, good grammar – I’m sure you want to talk to me about that as well – and spelling.

“I think what I’ve talked about in the past are some aspects of the SATs [standard assessment tests], and the spelling and grammar test in that.

“It’s particularly obscure in parts, isn’t it?

“I think what we always have to remember with these things, it’s about learning how to communicate in written, in oral and other forms, and not get too drawn into some, you know, kind of specific aspects of grammar.”

She was then reminded of her “draconian” comment and asked whether she still held that view. Ms Powell added: “We’ve had this curriculum and assessment review... We’re having a look at a number of recommendations that have been made in there.”

She was then quizzed on whether changes could mean fewer spelling tests for students, to which she clarified: “I think I was talking about one specific assessment which is called the Spag test at the end of Key Stage 2.

“Have you looked at that test recently? Have a look at it, see if you pass it.”

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Yesterday Ms Powell hinted students could soon take fewer GCSE exams in line with a review of the national curriculum.

She continued: “My daughter’s awaiting her own GCSE results. My daughter did 25 exams in five weeks, and it’s a lot, isn’t it? It’s a lot of pressure.

“Well, the Government’s just had this sort of curriculum and assessment review, which is kind of sitting on my desk at the moment, looking at some of these issues.

“We’re going to look at that and take forward some changes to the curriculum and assessment system so that it is fit for that world of work, and there are some things I think we can look at within that, and I want to take the time to look at that.”

Ms Powell had studied at the University of Oxford before dropping out of her chemistry degree and completing her studies at King’s College London.

Speaking on her time at Oxford, the Education Secretary said: “I found myself just in an environment I wasn’t really used to, I was a bit of a duck out of water.

“So I think the combination of those things, I just knew I would be better going somewhere else.

“And when I arrived at King’s I flourished, I really flourished, and I was sort of taught well, and they really wanted to have me there, so it was the right thing to do.”

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