Sats will not be going ahead this year, Gavin Williamson has revealed today.

The education secretary told MPs that they would not be proceeding with the national tests in primary schools.

“I can absolutely confirm that we won’t be proceeding with Sats this year,” he said.

“We do recognise that this would be an additional burden on schools and it is very important that we are very much focused on welcoming students back into the classroom at the earliest opportunity.” 

The Department for Education had, until Mr Williamson’s comments today, been silent on plans for the primary tests ever since Monday night’s announcement that schools were moving online for most pupils.

Mary Bousted, National Education Union joint general secretary, said: “Teachers and parents will be relieved that Gavin Williamson has faced up to reality and cancelled this year’s Sats tests.

“With the pressures of Sats lifted, schools will have some space to address the urgent issues of educational recovery.

“Pupils are going to need long-term support for their learning. A curriculum driven by tests was never the way to do this.

“Now is the time to encourage and resource schools to develop a rich and engaging curriculum.”