She thinks children are far too young to be doing SATs at six and hopes people will show their support for the campaign.
She said: “Childhood is so precious and goes far too quickly. We just want to highlight the fact that kids are kids and need to play. It’s their social and communication skills we need to be developing, they do not need to be sat with their heads in books.”
Olivia Harrison is headteacher at Lorton school.
While she feels there is increased pressures on schools to meet higher standards she said her school does not focus on months of coaching children for tests, as many others do.
She said: "While I do agree the required level is too high and unnecessarily high for both of these year groups, I do not completely disagree with some form of testing – providing preparations are proportionate, the balance of the curriculum is maintained and children don’t suffer with stress by too much importance being placed on the test itself.
“The results our children achieve are very true results – not inflated due to pre test cramming.”
She has written to parents about the play day plan saying: “Might it be an option for parents considering removal of their children on that day to make a stand and say that they are happy to keep their children in school because they trust how Lorton manages the external pressures that are put upon us?”
Teresa Readmain, St Joseph’s School headteacher, said: “There’s been a definite raising of the bar in terms of testing, the standard has been signifiantly raised.
“The accountability of teaching being based on the testing regime does not give the whole story of the school.
“Teaching and learning is the most important thing for our children, we need to give them skills they will need for the future. I question whether these tests are testing that.”
The play event will be held at Harris Park at 9.30am on Tuesday. If the weather is bad they are asked to meet outside Wordsworth House, on Crown Street.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 here