Testing helps teaching, says schools minister

Testing in the education system helps teachers to focus on the "core skills" pupils need to learn, schools minister Ed Balls has said.

According to Mr Balls, exams such as the Sats help parents track the progress of their children at school, as well as helping teaching efforts, the Independent reports.

"Our aim - and that of schools - is to help all children do the best they can. Tests are simply tools which can help teachers achieve that," he told the paper.

Mr Balls defence of testing as part of education policy has come following suggestions that Sats are unnecessary exams after the fiasco surrounding the marking of this year's papers.

The incident meant some people have "lost sight" of the aims of Labour's education policy, Mr Balls added, but noted the "stress and worry" of teachers, parents and pupils over the delay in the delivery of the papers.

It was announced last week by the Department for Children, Schools and Families that the publication of Key Stage 3 Sats results will go ahead.