A HEADTEACHER has spoken out over changes to the way SATs results are measured that could see his school suddenly deemed to be underperforming.

Steve Gough, of Dines Green Primary School, Tudor Way, Worcester, said Government plans to raise the benchmark for Key Stage 2 tests were “goring”.

From next year, primaries in England must ensure that at least 65 per cent of their 11-year-old pupils score Level 4 in English and maths Key Stage 2 tests – the standard expected of their age group.

Under the current system, schools should have 60 per cent of pupils meeting this benchmark.

Of the 117 Worcestershire schools for which the figures are available, three fell short of the existing standard in 2012, but that doubles to six when the new system is taken into account.

Dines Green is one of the schools in Worcester that would be affected and currently has 64 per cent of its students achieving the benchmark.

Mr Gough said simply measuring results did not take into account the progress pupils had made.

He said: “As a school, we work really hard to get children to progress. You can set a benchmark but some children have a lot further to jump to achieve it.

“The children have a long road to travel to get to these national benchmarks. Dines Green is a super school. The staff are incredibly hard-working. We do a huge amount with the children to make them well-rounded.”

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has also criticised the move, stating it puts schools and pupils under “needless pressure”.

Official figures show that in 2011, 1,310 primaries in England were below the 60 per cent standard, which fell to 476 schools last year.

The Government said the fall demonstrated that headteachers, teachers and pupils respond to higher floor standards by raising their achievement.