Primary Education Alliance launched

Monday, 19 May 2003 12:00 AM

Today sees the launch of a new education lobby that is asking teachers and parents to join a campaign for change.

The Primary Education Alliance has been formed by the National Primary Trust, the National Primary Heads Association and the National Association for Primary Education. It intends to promote changes to the government.

The group hopes to apply pressure on issues that affect primary education, such as the need to empower parents, and to create an innovative and balanced primary school national curriculum.

Attention has been drawn to the groups' consultation on the value of SAT's. It claims that tests at a young age undermine confidence, and can damage continuity in the curriculum.

SATs have been in the news since the National Union of Teachers called for a ballot of members on whether they should boycott the tests on seven 11 and 14 year olds.

The new body argues that while the tests put pressure on teachers and pupils, they may also be proving of limited value in education. It further argues that targets need to be alleviated.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke has committed the government to continuing assessment, though he has hinted recently that targets will be eased.

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