Panicked pupils weeping over national school tests – parents
Children have been left “crying their eyes out”, panicked and flustered by Wales’ national school tests, parents have said.
Several parents have spoken out as all school pupils aged from seven to 14 sit the three literacy and numeracy tests, which run until May 9.
The Welsh Government says pupils should not revise for the tests and that the results are not published or used to judge school or pupil performance.
It says the tests are aimed at assessing how pupils are progressing in their class work alone.
But parents claim some schools are putting pressure on their children and believe teachers, and schools, will be judged by their class results.
Dai Thomas, from Pontypool, said his nine year-old son wants to do his best, but panicked and got very upset taking the tests.
“When you have a nine-year-old walking through the door crying his eyes out you wonder what they are doing,” the father of two said.
“Sonny is quite a nervy boy and came home all upset and crying, saying he had not known what to do and rushed the test because he thought there was a time limit.
“He was really upset, saying they had had tests the whole day, and was really stressed. He got himself all worked up. He wants to prove himself, but got flustered.
“I think a nine-year-old should just be learning at school. I don’t understand why they are putting them through the pressure of these tests. I think it could put them off school.”
Sue Wilding, from Llandrindod Wells, said her son, Matthew, eight, was unable to sleep because he was so anxious about his maths test.
“He can do the work and is not behind but he is a worrier. If you say the word “test” to him he can barely remember his name. He panics because he wants to do well and I think they are too young to cope with this pressure.”
Sue said teachers were supportive but fears the bank holiday weekend will be ruined for Matthew, who is now fretting about his final test on May 8.
“His teachers are lovely. They said they’d had a few children in tears yesterday with the maths test.
“The first thing Matthew said when he opened his eyes in the morning was: ‘I’ve got a maths test today.’ He didn’t get a good night’s sleep and said his tummy hurt.
“He worried last year when he first took the tests too. My 10-year-old also has tests but is older and doesn’t worry so much. He did worry when he was younger.
“This could have an effect on mental health. It is too much pressure too young.
“Matthew is in a small class and the teachers can see how they are doing without this. I don’t want to see my son crying going to bed. It just comes across that these tests are creating a job for someone and data.”
Fearne Rogers, from Libanus, said her eight-year-old daughter, Erin, had been sent home with test practice work over the holidays and has also been very nervous.
“Before the tests she was crying and saying she didn’t want to go to school and was worrying all the time about them.
“I don’t think it’s right they should get so stressed by tests at this age.
“Erin usually likes school but she has been tearful and not wanting to go in.”
Charlene Manley, from Cardiff, said her six-year-old, Derryn, cried as if his heart was breaking over the tests.
“The first day of the tests he was quite blasé, but when I went to pick him up from school yesterday he was heartbroken. He was crying and crying.
“He sat down in the school and cried and cried. He just broke down in tears.
“I told the teacher he was overwhelmed by the tests and she said they had been given breaks. I don’t blame the teachers. It’s a government thing.
“But why are our children being used like this to get statistics? Their well-being is being compromised. They should not be having this stress at this age. Do schools need to know all this? Is this the way to find out how they’re doing? They say it’s not to see how teachers are performing, but I don’t know.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “These tests are entirely about understanding and supporting learners’ progress. They are not used to judge schools. We do not want to see children being expected to prepare for them and we have been absolutely clear about this in the guidance we have issued to schools.
“The purpose of the national tests is to provide schools with information on the reading and numeracy skills of their learners. The tests are based on the curriculum in Wales and the skills set out in the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework.
“Schools have always used a variety of tests to check how well children are doing, but the national tests provide consistent information on learners’ development and progress.
“This information will add to what your child’s teacher knows about their reading and numeracy from their work every day in the classroom and can be used to help plan next steps in teaching and learning.”
The tests will be going online from the beginning of next academic year.