Pupils at an academy run by the Harris Federation have not received their maths or English Sats results after an investigation found that they had been “over-aided” in two papers.

Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane in Tottenham, North London, was formerly Downhills Primary School before it was controversially forced to become an academy in 2012.

It had told parents before the summer holiday that the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) was investigating “an allegation of the academy mishandling the tests”.

In a letter sent to parents in Monday, the school said: “To our dismay, the STA has concluded that pupils were over-aided in their English reading and maths reasoning papers.”

The Harris Federation is frequently cited as one of the most successful academy trusts in England.

‘Thorough investigation’ into Sats

A spokesperson for the Harris Federation said: “The academy has apologised to former Year 6 families who have not received their maths or English reading Sats results. This is because of the STA’s finding of over-aiding in their reading and maths reasoning papers.

“Pupils have been given accurate teacher assessments and these have been provided to the secondary schools they are moving on to, along with their grammar, punctuation and spelling results. This will ensure their transition to secondary school is not affected.

“It is, however, deeply disappointing and regrettable that families will not receive maths or English reading Sats results. 

“We were shocked and dismayed to hear of the over-aiding. As well as cooperating in full with the STA, we have arranged our own thorough investigation. This will begin in the autumn term and we will not hesitate to take the very toughest action wherever this is appropriate.”

A DfE spokesperson said it takes allegations such as this “very seriously”.

He added: “Following an investigation by the STA, several key stage 2 papers were annulled. This will not, however, adversely affect any of the pupils as the school can provide teaching assessment data to show the pupils’ progress in these subjects.”

He added that the STA has advised the school on how to avoid future maladministration.