Testing boycott expected to affect thousands of children

Tens of thousands of primary school children across the country are expected to be affected by the industrial action, as primary school heads refuse to administer the tests.

A boycott of the Sats – Standard Assessment Tests – was confirmed by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) last month after ballots of their leadership members showed support.

Union bosses say if enough schools take part in the dispute it will make publishing primary school league tables later this year impossible.

It is now down to individual heads, deputies and assistant heads to decide whether their schools take part.

The tests in English and maths are due to start on Monday next week.

A small-scale survey published last night revealed that in 32 local authorities alone, an estimated 950 schools have already confirmed they will be boycotting. Up to 8,000 primary schools around the country could take part.

The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this week that as least 400 schools across six education authorities in the region were set to join the boycott although the final figure is likely to be much higher.

Barnsley Council said yesterday that more than half of its 78 primaries are taking part.

In Manchester, 60 schools have confirmed they will be boycotting, and all 31 schools in Hartlepool are backing the action, according to the new survey.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said earlier this week that up to 83

schools were expected to be involved – affecting 3,600 pupils. Calderdale Council expects three-quarters of its 86 primaries to take part in the dispute while in Doncaster 52 primaries have confirmed they will boycott the tests. The NUT expects most primary schools in Bradford and Leeds to be involved in the dispute.

Schools do not have to inform local councils whether they are taking part in the boycott.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower said: "We have reports that the numbers of schools boycotting Sats in many areas is close to 50 per cent. At that level of participation in the action, it would be impossible to draw up league tables."

Schools Secretary Ed Balls wrote to governors to say they have a "statutory duty" to ensure the tests go ahead.

Governing bodies at several primary schools in Leeds have considered taking disciplinary action against head teachers who boycott the tests.