A view from the UK from a NZ teacher

Here's the perspective of a NZ teacher working in the UK...

"If you are passing on information to the Minister or Prime Minister then here is my five cents worth regarding the proposed National Testing. I am currently private tutoring in the UK picking up the pieces so to
speak of the mess the local state school has created from focusing too hard on
their league tables and not on the individual needs of the children. It breaks
my heart that I am working with two fabulous 10 year olds who need convincing
that they are not worthless.

If you have the opportunity to visit the website, Channel 4, through their Dispatches programme, this week aired a two part documentary following a Year 6 class who had their maths learning turned around when league
tables were ignored. Only to have them set back, unfortunately, when the
teachers felt forced to revert to old and, in hindsight, unsuccessful methods
in preparation for SATS as they were so obsessed with their ranking on league
tables. If only they had the patience to attend to the individual learner and
not teach to the test!

I would beg John Key not to destroy the wonderful teaching methods NZ has to fall into this awful illusion of national testing benefiting the education system. If he could work along teachers in the State system in
the UK for only one week he would soon change his mind.

Regards

Joanne Powell"