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School system in Dudley changed
Dudley traditionally ran a system of 5-7 infant, 7-11 junior and 11+ secondary schools until this year when they changed the system so students stayed at primary school until age 12 then went to 12+ secondary school. -
Comprehensive education in Dudley
Secondary modern and grammar schools replaced by comprehensive schools. Result of 1965 Circular declaring the governments intention to "end selection at 11-plus and to eliminate separation in secondary school education" (Chitty, 2002, p.18) which most LEA's followed. However, 164 grammar schools still exist. -
1988 Education Reform Act
Creation of the National Curriculum and laid the groundwork for the National Curriculum tests (Sats). Curriculum for all and pressure to deliver good exam results. All subjects became available for all students. -
Returned to traditional school system
Secondary schools returned to being 11+ Instead of 12+ -
My 1st day at school.
I started reception at Northfield Road Primary school. The school consists of two buildings, the Victoria building built in 1890 and the George building built in 1913, both named for the time they were built. The school opened in 1913 and has been both an infants school and a secondary school before it became a primary school. -
Year 2 Sats.
I was one of the first year groups to sit Sats in year 2. Sats were introduced between 1991 and 1998, for all children aged 7,11 and 14. They were introduced as a way of monitoring pupils and schools progress and to ensure the students were at the average level for the end of that key stage. -
Science education for the future
A report by Robert Millar and Jonathan Osbourne arguing that the primary goal of science education should be the "scientific literacy" of pupils. They argued that science is more than simply learning facts and students should be provided with opportunities for personal inquiry. The impact was that it produced scientists with a broad general education who were adapted for lifelong learning. This was promoted in my school, it allowed my to thoroughly enjoy science and develop my scientific skills. -
Year 6 Sats
We were explained to that these were important tests for us, and while we experience some pressure, I don't remember feeling stressed about them. -
My 1st day at Secondary school
I started year 7 at Hillcrest School and community College, Netherton. It opened in 1958 as one of two new secondary schools built in the town and expanded in 1986. In 1998 it was placed in special measures due to drug dealing, truancy and behaviour with only 15% of students achieving 5 A*-C. It was removed from special measures in March 2001 and continued to improve, receiving training school status and reaching outstanding by 2005. -
Year 9 Sats.
There was quite a lot of pressure place upon year 9 pupils to achieve a certain level in their Sats, depending on which set they were in. I found this experience beneficial, it gave me a better understanding of what I would be experiencing in year 11 when sitting my GCSE's. -
Key Stage 1 Sats stop
Sats for year 2 pupils are stopped. School assessments are still used but less pressure is put on these younger pupils as they are not externally assessed. -
Took my GCSE exams
I sat my GCSE exams including double award science, I felt very prepared for theses exams as I had been exposed to multiple chances to sit important tests and had sat mock exams. While I agree that a young age assessment is better designed by the teacher and could possibly be done by observation, at a certain point it becomes beneficial for students to sit exams that are formally externally assessed, as this is what their school life ends with. -
Started College
Started at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge. A highly recognised selective state sixth form college. It was founded in May 1430, but was known as Chantry School of Holy Trinity, it was granted its charter for grammar school on 17th June 1552 by King Edward VI and became a sixth form college in 1976 due to the introduction of comprehensive education in Dudley. -
Started University
Started my degree in Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham. -
Key Stage 3 Sats stop
Sats taken in year 9 are stopped. Again assessments in school are still taken but are not externally assessed. -
Graduated from University
Graduated from University of Birmingham -
Putwain et al., 2012
An article published in the Pastoral Care in Education jounal in 2012 criticised the tests for placing children under too much pressure. They state that these tests are "contributing to an increase in test related stress and anxiety". Putwain, D., Conners, L., Woods, K., Nicholson, L.J. (2012) Stress and anxiety surrounding forthcoming Standard Assessment Tests in English schools. Pastoral Care in Education 30(1), pp. 289-302 -
The Guardian
Five reasons parents are boycotting primary schools over Sats.
"Teaching children so they can pass a test is wrongheaded"
"Making year 2 children learn by rote so they can take a test is madness"
But surely it should be a case of what we teach students equipping them with the skills and knowledge to pass these tests rather than teaching them by rote. Its the same with GCSE exams they should have the skills to apply their knowledge not to simply remember the answers. -
Started PGCE
Started PGCE course at University of Wolverhampton. -
Presenting Timeline
Chiity, C. (2002) Understanding Schools and Schooling. London. Routledge Falmer
Fishwick, C., Guardian readers (2016) Five reasons parents are boycotting primary schools over Sats. The Guardian [online] 3rd May [Accessed 18th September 2016] Available at https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/may/03/sats-five-reasons-parents-are-boycotting-primary-schools-kids-strike
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Millar, R., & Osborne, J. F. (Eds.). (1998). Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future. London: King's College London.
