A SURVEY conducted by Welsh teaching union NUT Cymru found "a pattern of dissatisfaction" over literacy and numeracy tests among members, according to the union.

The tests were introduced by the Welsh Government in May last year for all pupils in Years 2 to 9. Results are standardised, with the average score set at 100.

The union says its survey, which was a repeat of one they did back in 2013, has uncovered the extent to which the "controversial" literacy and numeracy tests have impacted on the education workforce, and claims the results highlight "serious concerns" over the workload associated with the tests as well as what they term "the lack of impact" they are having on attainment.

Owen Hathway, NUT Wales Policy Officer said: "We’ve looked at a range of things such as workload, the relevance of the content, how testing fits with the Welsh curriculum and what, if anything, the tests are actually telling teachers about their pupils.

"It is very concerning that not only have attitudes towards the tests hardened over the past 12 months, but teachers have actually become even more critical of the policy.

“The snapshot this survey provides is of a profession unconvinced with the Welsh Government’s testing regime, particularly in the way it contradicts and undermines the ethos of the Foundation Phase.

"Teachers have seen that the tests have a negative impact on pupil engagement and have also seen complications with parents as a result of this initiative. "Some of the more direct feedback is difficult to read with teachers left exhausted by the impact these tests are having on pupil-wellbeing.

“We have sent the responses to the education minister and are urging him to examine again the nature and delivery of the tests. Hopefully, at least for the very youngest pupils, we will see a more child-centric approach to pupil assessment.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We will look at what the NUT send on to us, but we know these tests have been welcomed by parents of all age groups right across Wales.

“The best way to ensure learners make regular progress is to make sure they never fall behind. This can only be achieved through rigorous monitoring and assessment of a pupil’s progress which is why we introduced our reading and numeracy tests.

"The tests and the data they provide are fundamental to raising standards in Wales and schools can use the diagnostic information from the tests to identify learners' strengths and areas for development.

"This means that a school can intervene if a pupil is falling behind, and also stretch the more able pupils.”