Balls confirms reforms to Key Stage 2 testing

He stopped short of saying that he would scrap the tests, because he said the majority of parents find testing useful.

He cited an Ipsos Mori survey of 936 parents, which found that three-quarters think information on the performance of primary schools should be available to the general public. However, he said that testing must not be narrow or distorting.

He said: "I know that Key Stage 2 tests are particularly controversial. I've always been clear that the current assessment system is not set in stone. But I've also been clear that it would be a retrograde step to return to the days where the real achievements of schools were hidden from parents and communities."

He said that the new school report card system would be key to improving schools' accountability. He said: "We've got to find a way in which schools are judged across everything they do."

Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, disagreed that primary school children need to be tested. She said: "We have to invest in very good teacher assessments underpinned by national sampling. Our problem is that tests are too inaccurate at a pupil level."

She said that ATL are interested in the school report card system. She said: "We are interested in anything that replaces school league tables."

However, she claimed that proposals for the report card would need to be modified because one grade may not be able to sum up schools' achievement.

Ed Balls also told the conference that the Masters in Teaching and Learning programme would be delayed until next year. He said the Department for Children, Schools and Families needs to take the time to get it right.

Bousted welcomed the delay, saying that it was important to take time over the reform.