IN view of the recent controversies over Sats, it is not surprising that the Tories have jumped on them as a policy headline-grabber.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove says a Tory government would abolish Sats at the end of primary school and replace them with tests in the first year of secondary.

There are legitimate concerns that primary school ends with tests which are discredited because staff – with performance league tables in mind – have to focus on the narrow task of “teaching to the exam”.

It is, however, difficult to see the real benefit in the Tory plan to switch the pressure from primary teachers to secondary teachers. It appears to be a case of moving the goalposts further down the pitch.

Primary schools might be rejoicing at the freeing-up of the curriculum, but they will not be so happy at the prospect of being assessed by secondary teachers, who would be responsible for marking the new tests.

It raises new questions about the accountability of primary schools, and threatens to make the all-important transition between primary and secondary levels more intimidating.

It is preferable to build up to the tests as a climax to primary school rather than to be thrust into the examination pressure-cooker within the first year of life in a strange new environment.

In the pink

SOUTH Park in Darlington was a spectacular sight yesterday as 4,000 women took part in the Race For Life.

With nearly £200,000 raised for Cancer Research UK, well done to everyone who turned out in the sunshine to support such an inspirational event.