PLANS to scrap SATs tests for seven-year-olds have been welcomed by Stroud district councillors.

The department of education (DfE) announced on Friday that it was considering a new less formal mode of assessment when kids first start primary school.

There has been cross-party agreement in Stroud district on this issue which has long been a sticking point for teachers and parents alike – both urging for an end to strict testing at such an early age in a child’s development.

Stroud district councillor Dorcas Binns (Con, Minchinhampton) said: “This is certainly an issue that needs looking into – I know that it is one that teachers have raised with me on a number of occasions.

"I trust the Department for Education will examine this carefully.”

The statutory assessment tests or SATs measure a pupil’s attainment at both ends of their primary education from ages 7-11.

Green party district councillor Simon Pickering thinks it is about time that these changes were made, he said: “The results of testing at this age are meaningless and put children, staff and parents through unnecessary stress.

“It will give teacher more time to actually teach rather than prep kids for tests.”

The DfE stated that it aimed to reform the primary school system to help children master the basics of literacy and numeracy – the skills children need to succeed later in life – but to provide teachers with more time to help kids reach their full potential.

Liberal Democrat Stroud district councillor George Butcher (Wotton), has been a teacher for the past ten years, now currently teaching business studies and IT at SGS College’s Stroud campus.

He said: “I welcome stopping the testing of seven year olds. Key stage one tests are unnecessary and potentially harmful. The stress and anxiety caused to children and parents at such a crucial time of development does nothing for the child or school.

“The use of the test results really only have one function and that is to measure a school, it does nothing to help educational standards.

“Schools should focus on the love of learning, but sadly tests mean our young learn to fear school.”

Stroud district councillor Doina Cornell (Lab, Dursley), did not attend school from 7-14, she grew up on a boat and was taught by her parents while they travelled – because of this she believes tests are not the be all and end all.

Both of her two children attend Rednock School, she said: “I welcome the Tories making another U-turn.

“The Labour Party has worked with teachers' unions to get these tests dropped because no one wanted them, not parents, teachers or governors.

“As a parent I know how stressful all this testing can be, so starting at such a young age is ridiculous.”

Many teachers have called attention to the increased amount of stress that the early level – or Key Stage 1 SATs – have placed on seven-year-olds, they have also called for Key Stage 2 tests to be readdressed due to the pressure they place on children.