North East kids ‘strike’ in school protest over SATs
Parents across the North East are pulling their kids out of school today in strike action.
A Children's Strike is being held in the North East today - as parent's take action against tough testing.
Anxious kids, endless testing and pointless SATs - Newcastle parents have been telling us enough is enough.
Thousands of parents across the country are expected to keep their children off school today protesting against tough new national tests.
The Let Our Kids Be Kids Campaign, set up by parents, says they’re fed up of ‘teachers not being trusted to teach, enough of an Ofsted driven, dull, dry curriculum aimed solely at passing National Curriculum Tests (SATs).’
Cathy Turner has spearheaded the campaign in Newcastle. She’s part of a group of parents at Hotspur Primary in Heaton who will instead spend the day doing fun activities. She said:
“I know of children who don’t want to read anymore because reading has become a chore for them. They don’t want to write because they’re worried about their spelling. At age seven children shouldn’t be worried about these things, they should be enjoying learning.
“When the teachers themselves are saying this is not good for children, it’s not good for education and they still do not listen then what else can we do? It’s got to the point where we think if parents actually stand up and take children out of school themselves then maybe that will have some impact.”
Myles Clare, head teacher at Hotspur Primary School in Heaton, said:
“The curriculum gets restricted down to those things that you’re going to test. That pressure has increased year on year and it continues to increase. Some of the things that we’re asking children to do now are not as relevant as they might be.
“Levels of stress within teaching is extremely high. It’s not the only place where that’s the case but certainly during my 25 years old teaching that has increased enormously.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“We are clear that tests should not be a cause of stress for pupils - they help us ensure schools are performing well, and we know the best schools manage them successfully.
“Our reforms are raising standards and thanks to the hard work of teachers there are a record number of children in good or outstanding schools - 1.4 million more since 2010. We want that trend to continue which is why the proposals in our White Paper will put power back in the hands of the teachers and school leaders who know their pupils best, alongside new measures to more swiftly tackle failing and coasting schools. Our reforms have given teachers the freedom to innovate and develop exciting lessons that inspire pupils.
“We know mastering the basics of literacy and numeracy at primary school has a huge impact on how well children do at GCSE, which is why we are determined to raise standards. We have updated the Key Stage 2 tests to reflect our new, more rigorous curriculum which will help every child fulfil their potential regardless of their circumstances. Tests help teachers identify and provide the support pupils need as well as giving parents a picture of how their child is doing.”
Find out more about the campaign and what’s going on in your area here: https://letthekidsbekids.wordpress.com