EDUCATION chiefs in the region have called for a testing system that schools can have confidence in, after a damning report into the summer Sats fiasco.

Problems with Key Stage 2 and 3 exams meant tens of thousands of exam papers were not returned on time.

Concerns were also expressed about the quality of the marking.

An inquiry by Lord Sutherland yesterday blamed exam watchdog, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and private exam contractor ETS Europe for the problems.

Following the publication of the report, QCA announced it was abolishing the National Assessment Agency (NAA), its division responsible for delivering the national curriculum tests.

David Gee, the NAA’s managing director, was suspended with immediate effect. QCA chief executive Dr Ken Boston, who offered his resignation at the weekend, was also suspended.

Last night, education chiefs said schools in the region were still dealing with the fallout from the fiasco.

Councillor Ian Jeffrey, cabinet member for children’s service and education at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said there had been a “great deal of dissatisfaction”

over the problems.

“I understand all results are not completely available,” he added. “It’s safe to say schools are looking forward to a testing regime they can have confidence in.”

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton Borough Council cabinet member for children and young people, also called for improvements.

He said: “In considering changes to the system, we hope any future developments will contribute to a process which results in renewed confidence for schools and local authorities, and particularly for improved outcomes for our pupils at the end of key stage assessments.”

North Yorkshire County Council said a small percentage of its schools were still waiting for exam papers to be returned.

“We will probably not find out until January how it all affected schools,” a spokeswoman said.

Lord Sutherland said pupils, parents, schools and markers had been badly let down because of the problems.

He told a news conference in London there had been a culture within the QCA and in the NAA that “it’ll be all right on the night”.

Key Stage 3 Sats for 14-yearolds have since been scrapped in a shake-up of testing.

■ Exam contractor Edexcel has just been made preferred bidder to run next year’s remaining tests for 11-year-olds.