We don't want more tests for school pupils, say headteachers

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan wants all children to know their times tables up to 12x12 before they reach secondary school.

But some have criticised the idea saying it is just 'another test' for pupils. Penelope Thompson, headteacher at Glebefields Primary School in Tipton, said: "I am having a meeting with senior leaders about it.

"But generally I think there are too many exams.

"I would say for an area such as the one my school is in the new Government's raised level of expectation is going to be very difficult for children to meet.

"The maths test the children are going to be put in this year requires children to have a good knowledge of their times tables, so I don't want more tests."

Dudley Councillor Hilary Bills, a former headteacher, also criticised the proposal.

She said: "For me it is a bit of an insult. It is like the Government is saying children don't already learn their times tables. Well they do and always have done.

"I would say two things, first why up to 12 times tables? We don't work in imperial measurements.

"Secondly this is just a way of the Government saying look at that wonderful thing we have done to make them sound like they are doing something important.

"If I was a headteacher still and this landed on my desk I would shrug my shoulders."

But some leaders welcomed the move. Helen Morris, executive headteacher at St Albans and St Thomas schools in Wolverhampton, said: "I think that any way that schools can monitor children's abilities is a good thing.

"To have multiplication skills will help children out a lot in later life.

"I believe the earlier children gain those skills the better so I would be in favour of the test."

Walsall learning and skills boss Councillor Chris Towe welcomed the move but warned about over-testing youngsters.

He said: "I'm pleased to hear it's happening, learning up to 12 times tables is a good thing.

"When they introduced calculators it stopped children thinking for themselves.

"We have got to be careful not to test children too much but I don't have too much of a problem with it."

New tests will examine multiplication skills in every 11-year-old as part of the Government's 'war on innumeracy and illiteracy', the Department for Education said.

Pupils will be expected to know all tables up to 12x12, with the skill measured using an 'on-screen check' examination to be piloted by 3,000 students in 80 schools this summer before being rolled out countrywide in 2017.

Mrs Morgan warned that teachers will also be judged by the results of the tests.

She said: "Maths is a non-negotiable of a good education. Since 2010, we've seen record numbers of 11-year-olds start secondary school with a good grasp of the three Rs. But some continue to struggle.

"That is why, as part of our commitment to extend opportunity and deliver educational excellence everywhere we are introducing a new check to ensure that all pupils know their times tables by age 11.

"They will help teachers recognise those pupils at risk of falling behind and allow us to target those areas where children aren't being given a fair shot to succeed."