Some Sats results in England delayed after 'technical issues'

An exam company has apologised after some primary school test results in England were delayed.

The company, Pearson, was due to publish this year's Key Stage 2 Sats results on Tuesday 7 July. It now says the results will come out on Thursday 16 July instead.

Sats are tests taken by Year 6 pupils in England, usually when children are aged 10 or 11. They are used to help measure how pupils are doing in subjects such as reading and maths before they move to secondary school.

Children in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland do not take these exact Key Stage 2 Sats tests, because education is run differently in each UK nation.

Pearson said the delay was caused by "technical issues". It said its teams were "working around the clock to deliver the remaining pupil data".

A spokesperson for Pearson apologised "unreservedly" for the disruption and said: "Our priority is ensuring that every school and pupil receive complete and accurate results."

The company also said GCSE, A-level and other qualification results would not be affected.

Some school leaders have reacted angrily to the news.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, called the delay "completely unacceptable" and said it was "totally unfair" to announce it to schools at the last minute.

He added it was "not the first time schools have faced delays", and "once the current issues have been addressed it is vital that they are properly investigated to ensure it is the last".

"Pupils, parents and schools have been badly let down," he said.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, described the delay as a "complete shambles". He said it could mean staff have to work during their holiday period to finish end-of-year assessments.

"Parents and children now face an increased wait for these results, with all the anxiety this entails, through no fault of their own," he added.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the delay was "deeply frustrating" for schools, parents and pupils, and said the government was working to resolve the issue.

This is the first year Pearson has been responsible for the Key Stage 2 tests, following a change in the contract.

One test marker, who asked not to be named, told the BBC she had concerns about technical problems and the accuracy of marking.

Pearson says it is focused on making sure results are complete and accurate.