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The Impact of Statutory Assessments on Writing Instruction in English Primary Schools: An Exploration of Teacher Perceptions and Practices.

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Title: The Impact of Statutory Assessments on Writing Instruction in English Primary Schools: An Exploration of Teacher Perceptions and Practices.
Authors: Clarkson, Rebecca1 (AUTHOR) rebecca.clarkson@aru.ac.uk
Source: Writing & Pedagogy. Jun2026, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p528-554. 27p.
Subject Terms: *Standardized tests, *Teacher attitudes, *Curriculum-based assessment, *Educational evaluation, *Effective teaching, *Elementary education, *Writing education
Geographic Terms: England
Abstract: This article outlines the curriculum and assessment regime related to writing in England that affects children in their final year of primary school (Year 6: ages 10–11). The assessment in England is colloquially known as SATs and, for writing, consists of a grammar, punctuation, and spelling test, alongside a separate teacher assessment of writing using a set of criteria. Both these assessments are statutory and are integral components of the accountability system for primary schools in England. From an interpretive perspective, this article explores how teachers perceive the assessment and how it influences their instructional practices through data collected from interviews with 10 Year 6 teachers. A broad discussion centres around the potential negative consequences of the assessment regime on the teaching of writing and includes the teachers' perceived impact of these assessments on writing instruction and the effects this has on the teachers' teaching practices. There is a particular focus on issues around "teaching-to-the-test" with some implications for policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Writing & Pedagogy is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: The Impact of Statutory Assessments on Writing Instruction in English Primary Schools: An Exploration of Teacher Perceptions and Practices.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Writing+%26+Pedagogy%22">Writing & Pedagogy</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p528-554. 27p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Standardized+tests%22">Standardized tests</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+attitudes%22">Teacher attitudes</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum-based+assessment%22">Curriculum-based assessment</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+evaluation%22">Educational evaluation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Effective+teaching%22">Effective teaching</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+education%22">Elementary education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Writing+education%22">Writing education</searchLink>
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  Data: This article outlines the curriculum and assessment regime related to writing in England that affects children in their final year of primary school (Year 6: ages 10–11). The assessment in England is colloquially known as SATs and, for writing, consists of a grammar, punctuation, and spelling test, alongside a separate teacher assessment of writing using a set of criteria. Both these assessments are statutory and are integral components of the accountability system for primary schools in England. From an interpretive perspective, this article explores how teachers perceive the assessment and how it influences their instructional practices through data collected from interviews with 10 Year 6 teachers. A broad discussion centres around the potential negative consequences of the assessment regime on the teaching of writing and includes the teachers' perceived impact of these assessments on writing instruction and the effects this has on the teachers' teaching practices. There is a particular focus on issues around "teaching-to-the-test" with some implications for policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Writing & Pedagogy is the property of University of Toronto Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.3138/wap-2024-0006
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 27
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum-based assessment
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      – SubjectFull: Educational evaluation
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      – SubjectFull: Effective teaching
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary education
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      – SubjectFull: Writing education
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      – SubjectFull: England
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      – TitleFull: The Impact of Statutory Assessments on Writing Instruction in English Primary Schools: An Exploration of Teacher Perceptions and Practices.
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              Text: Jun2026
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              Y: 2026
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