PUPILS at a Poole primary school have had their Key Stage Two SAT results suppressed while a maladministration investigation is carried out.

Year Six pupils at St Mary’s RC combined school in Devon Road cannot be given their official Key Stage 2 National Curriculum test results until the Standards and Testing Agency has concluded its investigation.

Parents have been reassured their children’s secondary schools places are unaffected.

The precise nature of the investigation is not known but maladministration refers to any act that affects the integrity, security or confidentiality of the SATs and could lead to results that do not reflect children’s unaided work.

Maladministration can lead to changes to, or annulment of results for whole groups of children or of individual pupils.

On behalf of the school, the Borough of Poole, and the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, Vicky Wales, head of children, young people and learning said: “The school, with the support of the Diocese of Plymouth and Borough of Poole, as local authority, is fully cooperating with the STA while a maladministration investigation is carried out.

“The pupils have worked hard and we are aware of the great disappointment this represents to both the children and their families.

“All children have received their end of year reports and their teacher-assessed Key Stage Two results as usual, which confirm and celebrate their academic achievements.

“Staff at the school, Diocese and council have been working together to support the children and we would like to reassure parents that their child’s secondary school place is secure and their education will not be adversely affected in any way.

“Unfortunately, while the investigation is carried out, STA regulations do not allow us to give any further information.”

The STA lists the following examples of maladministration: Schools opening test papers too early, storing test materials incorrectly or using knowledge of the test content to coach children before a test.

Test administrators over-aiding children during a test, children having inappropriate equipment in a test, children cheating, schools not covering wall displays in test rooms, unsupervised rest breaks for children or test administrators making changes to children’s test scripts before sending them for external marking.

The STA has a statutory duty to investigate any matter brought to its attention relating to the accuracy or correctness of any results of any child for the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests.