BEW, a subsidiary of Unilever, has the ear of No 10 through its chairman, Niall Fitzgerald.

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John Bew's Castlereagh and David Brown's Palmerston are monumental looks at the careers of two 19th century titans.

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But Lord Bew said pupils should still face official tests of spelling, grammar and punctuation as well as reading and maths.

BBC: Hundreds of heads report concerns over Sats marks

Lord Bew is also calling for a greater emphasis on the progress children make from their initial starting points, as well as their overall attainment.

BBC: School Sats review: Lord Bew calls for more creativity

In June, a review of Sats by Lord Bew recommended the creative writing test should be scrapped and children's creative writing skills assessed by teachers.

BBC: Hundreds of heads report concerns over Sats marks

Lord Bew recommends a three-year "rolling average" of performance be published.

BBC: School Sats review: Lord Bew calls for more creativity

BEW's sales distribution arm are contrary to European competition laws.

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Lord Bew said the panel believed the changes would lead to a better system, benefit pupils and be fairer to teachers, while still holding schools accountable and giving parents "the vital information they need".

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The review appears, temporarily at least, to ease the pressure on head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and deflect further criticism from the IRFU's three-man committee which gave him a bew four-year contract before the World Cup started.

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