DFES Announce ICT Test to be non-statutory

As you will have been made aware through the communications to Head teachers from the DFES and NAA over the last week as well as the reports on the BBC News channels and websites, on the 9th January, at the BETT exhibition, it was announced that under discussion with a number of high level organisations and the NAA, the DFES has decided to NOT make the ICT Onscreen test for Year Nine a statutory requirement for schools to undertake. It is NOT- as reported in some news sources being scrapped outright in its entirety.

We understand this may be a relief for some schools and for others a piece of news that comes after much work had been done in implementing the test and getting the school prepared for this year’s cohort.

As consultants and advisors for ICT, we are disappointed that the first we heard about this news were the reports on the BBC News website, on the Friday before the announcement was made, but are aware that news about this when no decision had been made centrally would have led to a stalling of the test in schools.

In discussion with the NAA and QCA as well as National Strategies, it is recommended that schools still continue to plan to implement the test as planned for this year’s cohort.

While the test is not a statutory requirement, the positive tools it provides in moderation, exemplification and standardisation cannot be ignored, particularly for a subject as important as ICT, particularly in its detailed formative feedback on student and cohort development and attainment.

The test, after 2007, is planned to become an “On demand” style test, that schools would be able to implement at any time they feel appropriate and be used to gain a standardised assessment of students capabilities as well as a personalised formative feedback on each pupil.
As we receive more information about this development, we will keep schools up to date and informed.

To support subject leaders and discuss the issues regarding this change in Government policy, we will be holding and Emergency ICT Subject Leaders Network (for KS3 ICT Leaders) on Thursday 18th January at 4pm at the City Learning Centre which all schools are recommended to send a representative to.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail what this means for your school, please feel free to contact Christian Smith or Geoff Preston in the Secondary Strategies team who will be happy to support you.