THOUSANDS of primary and secondary schools across Worcestershire and Herefordshire are preparing for a testing time this week - as they sit their SATS exams.
Pupils aged seven, 11 and 14 years old will take the controversial exams this week - which critics have said put too much pressure on children and cause other areas of the curriculum to be neglected.
Standards
The national tests were introduced during the mid 90s in a bid to improve standards in mathematics, English and science - with pupils at the age of 11 and 14 tested on all three subjects.
Meanwhile, Year 2 children, most of whom are seven years old, are tested in English and mathematics alone.
The results of the tests at 11 and 14 are then published and used to draw up league tables.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article