No moves towards '11-plus' exam

By Seonag MacKinnon
Education correspondent, BBC Scotland

The confusion followed backing of a motion for stricter testing

Ministers have dismissed reports children will have to face formal tests similar to the old 11-plus in England.

It comes after speculation of a return to the old Qualification exam - or "qually" - in Scotland .

Confusion stems from acceptance of a Conservative amendment in parliament on Tuesday calling for children to receive more rigorous instruction and testing.

But the Scottish Government has stressed it sees this as a regime of continued assessment.

A source close to Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "We're not going to see serried ranks of children in gym halls being asked: 'Turn over your papers now.' That's not the direction of travel at all.

I'm interested in very clear tests on whether children can read, write and count up. A lot of teachers and parents want that too Elizabeth Smith Conservative spokeswoman

"What we're talking about is what we've always said - that there should be assessment of literacy and numeracy in primary school."

It is unclear as yet whether the assessment linked to the new curriculum in schools will be substantially different from the current form of assessment.

Conservative spokeswoman Elizabeth Smith said she did not expect the government to bring in an 11-plus-style exam or test certificates awarded by outside bodies but she did expect to see "something rigorous".

Ms Smith said: "I'm interested in very clear tests on whether children can read, write and count up. A lot of teachers and parents want that too.

"The testing that's been going on in schools has so much paperwork that it gets muddled and parents don't understand it."

Ms Smith said her party would also like to see primary children held back a year if they were struggling with school work because they were not skilled enough in basic reading and writing.

Clarity call

Labour has written to the Scottish Government seeking assurances that children will not face standardised tests or be held back a year if they are behind in basic skills.

Education spokeswoman Rhona Brankin said: "The motions passed in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday bear very little resemblance to the rhetoric emerging today. I have written to Ms Hyslop to find out what is going on with this education policy.

"Labour wants to see early diagnostic assessment of children ensuring that help is provided to those who are struggling rather than what appears to be a testing system at age 10."

Ms Brankin has written to teachers and parents' groups to assure them that Labour wants to see a workable assessment regime not blanket testing.

"I hope the cabinet secretary will clarify exactly what her government intends to implement in schools across Scotland," she added.