Department of Education announces cancellation of Standardised Tests

Dear Parents/Guardians
Please note the following statement issued by the Department of Education in relation to Standardised Testing this year.


Standardised Testing in Primary Schools 2019/2020
As you will be aware, in normal circumstances primary schools are required to administer standardised testing during the period May/June for all students in 2nd, 4th and 6th classes in accordance with circulars 0056/2011 and 0018/2012. As all schools are currently closed under Covid-19 restrictions and with uncertainty as to when schools will reopen, the Department of Education and Skills has made the decision to cancel Standardised Testing for primary schools for the 2019/2020 school year.

The priority in these times is to support the learning and wellbeing of all our learners. This is not an easy time for teachers, learners and their families. When schools return the focus for teachers and the whole school community will be on settling the children and returning to normality in the classroom without the added pressure of having to undertake standardised tests.

Standardised Tests are only one of a number of assessment tools that can be used to inform teaching and learning in primary schools. As stated in the Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum – Guidelines for schools ‘Assessment is about building a picture over time of a child’s progress and/or achievement in learning across the Primary School Curriculum’.


In light of this cancellation and the above statement we will discuss, as a staff  how best to report to parents about the progress of your children, and to report as part of the Education Passport for the transition to post primary school.  
We will keep you posted on these decisions as they arise.

Yours sincerely
Pauline O'Hara