PARENTS and teachers in Worcestershire say they would support plans to boycott SATs because they put too much pressure on pupils.

And one city headmaster has spoken out about children as young as 10 becoming upset and nervous about the examinations, and parents forcing youngsters to "cram" for the tests.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) plans to ballot their members to find out if they would refuse to allow their pupils to sit the SAT papers at 7, 11 and 14 in 2004.

Robert Flynn, headteacher of Gorse Hill Primary School in Tolladine, is waiting to see if his union followed the NUT lead.

Mr Flynn, who is also a member of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT), said the tests caused unnecessary pressure for pupils.

"The pressure applied to the school by the Government and the county causes the huge problems," said Mr Flynn. "They come in and give you targets and you're judged and dammed by that.

"I'm not surprised at the NUT wanting to boycott them. The results reflect on the children. You put the pressure onto the child because the pressure is on you.

"My wife teaches Year 6 and some of them get very upset at the tests. Some parents use cramming papers."

"I would back a boycott if the NAHT chose to follow the NUT."

His opposition to SAT was supported by Malvern father Martin Harris. He said he would "happily" back the ban on testing his twin daughters next year.

"What a great idea," said Mr Harris, of Wedderburn Road, Malvern. "The tests are a complete waste of time."

Claudia and Tamsin Harris, aged 10, are currently in Year 5 at The Grove Junior School in Pickersleigh Grove.

"Primary school children don't need the pressure of tests. Primary school is a happy time of life, secondary school is for growing up. That's what the Government has got wrong.

"They're spending money on these tests when it should be on their education.

Support for teachers

"I would be happy to not let my children take them and support the teacher's boycott. Children don't need pressure - they blossom in their own time."

The tests were also criticised by the NUT for the target-setting regime and performance-related pay.

Teachers are also considering revolting over class sizes. Activists pushed through a demand - despite pleas from the NUT leadership - by enforcing a limit of 27 pupils per class. They are threatening to send children home from classes which exceed that limit.

l Do you think teachers are right to oppose testing at seven, 11 and 14? What do you think? Write to: Voice of Worcester, Worcester Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX or email: letters@thisisworcester.co.uk.

n Opinion: P6