In a bold move, Education Minister Rob Stokes announced feedback from parents, teachers and advocates had paved the way for a “simplified” HSC minimum standard following controversial changes introduced last year.

He said while the reforms had wide-ranging support, he admitted linking HSC standards to year nine National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests placed unnecessary pressure on year nine students.

“NAPLAN should be a simple check-up, not a major operation. It is one tool used to assess educational progress – not a high stakes test,” Mr Stokes said.

“Allowing students to demonstrate the HSC minimum standard early with their Year 9 NAPLAN scores inadvertently transformed NAPLAN into a high stakes test.”

New England P&C president Rachael Sowden was among those welcoming the move.

“It’s fantastic and very exciting the minister has changed his mind and listened to the experts, the community and the parents who were concerned,” she said.

“Children who wouldn’t have achieved a band eight would be on the bandwagon for more testing, looking at twice or three times a year just to get their HSC.

“Now they can concentrate on learning the work, teachers know where kids are at that need support without being further pushed towards achieving the test.

“It’s certainly a positive push and I think that politicians listened to experts in the area and parents who have said this is the wrong thing.”

Dr Sowden said she was surprised the backflip happened “as quickly as it did.”

“It’s a significant win for all of those children that didn’t get a band eight in year nine and all those kids that will come after,” she said.

All HSC students will now meet the HSC minimum standard through short online tests in reading, writing and numeracy.