Teachers back boycott of 'stressful' pupil tests

Massive disruption to primary and secondary schools tests loomed closer today after members of the largest teaching union showed strong support for a boycott in a poll.

The National Union of Teachers is expected next month to call a full ballot of members, which could scupper next year's tests in English, maths and science for pupils aged seven, 11 and 14.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke reacted angrily to the poll, saying a boycott would represent an "absolute betrayal" of pupils and parents. He urged teachers to vote it down.

The poll result was the latest shot in the NUT's long-running war against national tests, which it boycotted in the early 1990s. The union claims the tests create unnecessary stress for teachers and pupils, for no educational benefit.

The Government attempted to take the heat out of the row earlier this year, with proposals which would place more emphasis on teacher assessment for seven-year-olds.

But today's poll of more than 30,500 NUT members shows 82.5 per cent want to boycott testing of seven-year-olds, while 71.4 per cent want to end tests for 11-year-olds and 64 per cent for 14-year-olds. Only 6.3 per cent thought the tests were a reliable way of measuring pupils' performance.

More than nine out of 10 NUT members in England and Wales thought the tests prevented schools teaching a "broad and balanced" curriculum.

NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy said: "The Government would be hard put to find a teacher who thinks tests are beneficial."

But Mr Clarke claimed testing "tackles the low expectation culture" that held back children in poor areas. "We have no intention at all of taking this away from them."