The National Union of Teachers balloted its 103,729 members in infant, junior, primary and special schools on industrial action against Key Stage 1 and 2 SATs, but failed to win enough support.
The results of the ballot, announced on 16 December, found that 86 per cent of the 35,327 teachers who voted were in favour of boycotting next year's tests, and 14 per cent were against. But in line with NUT rules, at least 51,866 votes were needed for a boycott to go ahead, with a minimum of two-thirds of those voting yes.
NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy said it was 'a fantastic result', even though 70 per cent of teachers balloted did not vote. This did not mean they supported 'the regime of tasks and tests', he said. 'The Government should be under no illusion that the strength of feeling against tests remains undiminished. The members who voted yes were prepared to take industrial action to end the tests.
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