Teesside parents hold kids ‘strike’ in protest over SATs
Parents across the Tees Valley are pulling their kids out of school today in strike action.
A Children's Strike is being held in Teesside today - as parent's take action against tough testing.
Anxious kids, endless testing and pointless SATs - and 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).’
Local mum Joanne Weston has spearheaded the campaign in Darlington.
She'll be keeping her children out of school today and has instead organised a fun day of educational activities instead.
She said:
"I can see the testing has on my daughter. She's a happy girl who loves learning but I can see that passion for learning is diminishing because of the prescribed form of teaching to test.
"Children, particularly in primary school, thrive through learning through play, whereas at the moment they're having to learn grammar that is absolutely unnecessary.
"They don't get to enjoy the subjects."
Julie Hoyland, is a former primary school teacher and will also be keeping her children off school. She said:
"Parents have the right to fight for their children's right for a fun and broad and balanced cirriculum to be delivered to them.
"I'm supporting the campaign, first and foremost as a parent and secondly, as a teacher.
"My little boy said to me yesterday 'writing's just boring' - writing shouldn't be boring, it's a creative expression and it's something that should be enjoyed.
"If children are given that space, they will have that thirst for learning."
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