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AIBU?

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Original poster

SATS cheating - by the Head!

561 replies

Dilemmaramma · 16/05/2025 21:16

In my DC’s final SATS exam yesterday, the headteacher was overseeing and they picked up DC’s paper, DURING the exam, flicked through it, then rubbed out one of the answers and told DC to try again. They also pointed out another wrong answer and indicated DC should re-do that question.

This is clear cut cheating, right?

YABU - don’t report it, the whole year group could get their SATS voided and they’ll be devastated
YANBU - this is appalling and the Head needs to be investigated

OP posts:
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Original poster
Dilemmaramma · 16/05/2025 21:26

WhoreForSoupDumplings · 16/05/2025 21:23

But why has it affected you this greatly?

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Because cheating is unethical

OP posts:
BallerinaRadio · 16/05/2025 21:25

Is this another Friday night wine induced fantasy thread? It wouldn't be the first or the last

Original poster
Dilemmaramma · 16/05/2025 21:25

miniworry · 16/05/2025 21:20

Why on earth would you want to report it when he's helped your own child?! As an independent school headteacher, I believe sats are totally and utterly abhorrent - putting 10 & 11 year olds through such pressure for something that secondary schools will likely ignore anyway when they start!

My understanding is that some secondary schools assign sets based on SATS scores, and they’re also used to predict GCSE grades. So if a child has scored higher than they should have, it’s not particularly helpful really, as they may be placed in the ‘wrong’ set, or be under pressure to attain unrealistic grades. I don’t see this as having ‘helped’ my child at all.

OP posts:
Grumpsy · 16/05/2025 21:24

You’re right, it’s cheating. Objectively you should report it, subjectively I could understand why you may decide not to.

Azdcgbjml · 16/05/2025 21:24

I would report it but then when I worked in primary school the integrity of the SATs was taken extremely seriously. Schools cheating are being very unfair to those that don't.

Apollo365 · 16/05/2025 21:23

The head wouldn’t be on their own in the room, there would be other staff present. Did DC notice anyone else watching this? Or it’s just her word against the head. Personally I wouldn’t report tbh.

WhoreForSoupDumplings · 16/05/2025 21:23

Dilemmaramma · 16/05/2025 21:22

I would hope that reporting it would result in procedures being put in place so that this wouldn’t ever happen again.

But why has it affected you this greatly?

Original poster
Dilemmaramma · 16/05/2025 21:22

I would hope that reporting it would result in procedures being put in place so that this wouldn’t ever happen again.

OP posts:
WhoreForSoupDumplings · 16/05/2025 21:21

I mean.. in the long run; is cheating on DS SATS test going to affect his overall quality of life, will it damage his choice of career one day? Or will it just means he might potentially get put into a slightly higher set in secondary school (though with two questions cheated I doubt it)

miniworry · 16/05/2025 21:20

Why on earth would you want to report it when he's helped your own child?! As an independent school headteacher, I believe sats are totally and utterly abhorrent - putting 10 & 11 year olds through such pressure for something that secondary schools will likely ignore anyway when they start!

Straightjacketsandroses · 16/05/2025 21:17

What would you achieve by reporting it?