IT'S that time of year again when students get their heads in their books ready for the annual exams.

Thousands of 15 to 18-year-olds are already getting in a sweat over their GCSEs and A-levels. Their future education can depend on whether they gain Cs or As.

But while we're all aware of the stress these youngsters are under, there are thousands of others who are also under pressure to perform.

When I was seven years old the only thing I had to worry about was whether I would be able to invite my friends round to our Army-base home.

At that age school was about whether you were milk monitor and what games you would play in the playground.

But in 2001 seven-year-olds take tests in the core subjects.

These were originally to see how a child was progressing at school from when they first started at the age of five.

If they were embodied into normal lessons then children would see them as a different style of learning but in the 21st Century there is extra pressure, even on our younger pupils.

Primary schools, desperate to be seen as improving, are wanting their pupils to be better than ever.

A good score in the SATs will mean a good league rating.

Parents have spoken of the Saturday school lessons for children to ensure they are better prepared for the tests.

But Saturdays should be for swimming lessons, dance classes, playing with friends and watching Ant and Dec.

If a child wants to do schoolwork then let them, but schools shouldn't be made to feel that they need to do this.

Pupils doing Key Stage Two tests at St George's CE Primary School, Worcester, are given booster classes in preparation of the tests.

But the seven-year-olds in Key Stage One are given other help.

We just give them a little bit of practice to give them idea of the sort of task they'll be expected to do, said headteacher Steve Mills.

This makes it a little easier for them so they're not out of their depth.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said the LEA does not issue guidelines on SATs.

We would monitor a percentage of them to make sure everything is operating correctly, he said.

The guidelines are set by an examining board.