Heads condemn tests for seven year olds

Tuesday, 6 May 2003 12:00 AM

Children up and down the country are preparing for exams today as head teachers call for an end to tests for seven year olds.

The call came during the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) annual conference yesterday.

Delegates called on the leadership to investigate the viability of a boycott of Standardised Assessment Tests (Sats), which begin today in English, maths and science for 14 year olds and some seven year olds.

Eleven year olds will face Key Stage Two tests next week.

The recent round of testing re-ignited criticism of the process, which was condemned as traumatising children.

However, Education Secretary, Charles Clarke has already signalled that a boycott would not be tolerated - in response to threats from the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to take such action next year, he indicated that he would take legal advice.

David Hart, NAHT General Secretary, has ruled out any such action arguing that it would be illegal because the subject is not a dispute about conditions of service.

But he too showed disdain for targets and performance tables. Referring to the pressure local education authorities (LEAs) face in meeting targets he said, "Top down targets, negotiated with nobody, are a nonsense."

Mr Hart also used his speech at the conference in York, to urge the Government to allow schools to exclude pupils if they find they can no longer co-operate with their families.

He argued that while pupil behaviour is getting better and Government efforts are "beginning to pay dividends", the behaviour of some parents in schools is deteriorating.

He explained that he is pushing Ministers to use the forthcoming antisocial behaviour Bill to exclude the children of violent parents.

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) acknowledges the situation but remains reluctant to "punish children for the sins of their parents."

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