Sats results 'published on time'

Last year the test results were delayed

The results for Sats tests for 11-year-olds in England's primary schools have been published on time.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said results for individual pupils had been made available to schools on Tuesday morning.

In total, 99.9% of pupils' results were available, exceeding the 99.7% target.

Last year, hundreds of thousands of 11 and 14-year-olds were left waiting for their results from the tests as a series of deadlines were missed.

The failure of last year's marking system became a major scandal, leading to the removal of the contractor ETS Europe.

This was followed by an independent inquiry and the acrimonious departure of the head of the QCA exams watchdog, Dr Ken Boston.

The tests taken by 14-year-olds were also scrapped.

Download results

Edexcel, a former operator of the tests, was re-appointed to run the tests for this year, with the results now being published on time.

In a statement, the QCA said schools could now access the results website and download results data for their pupils.

Acting chief executive Andrew Hall said: "I am pleased to confirm the successful publication of these results, which I know are so important to schools, parents and pupils.

"I would particularly like to thank test markers, who are mostly practising or recently retired teachers, and all of our contractors for the hard work, commitment and professionalism which have contributed to this success.

"The successful delivery of over 1.7 million results in three subjects, all marked during a 6 week window, has been the result of close team working and a commitment to ensuring accurate and timely information is available on each child's achievements at the end of their primary education."

A small number of schools will not receive their results on Tuesday.

The QCA said these schools would be contacted directly by its support team to explain why some of their pupils' results are not available and what is being done about this.

Kathleen Tattersall, chair of exams regulator Ofqual, said: "Following the problems experienced last year, the timely delivery of results will be welcomed by schools, parents and pupils.

"As regulator, Ofqual is continuing to monitor the quality control of the marking of this year's papers, and we will be listening to schools about any concerns that they might have.

"Building on research already done by QCA, we will do some further work into the marking quality of this year's tests with the aim of reporting later this year."