Call to boycott testing of four-year-olds

The new baseline assessments, which are optional, can be introduced in schools from September to test the knowledge and understanding of children as young as four when they enter reception class.

But early years professional groups Early Education and TACTYC: The Association for the Professional Development of Early Years Educators argue the new arrangements are not in the best interests of children, following a review.

They claim the tests will not present an accurate picture of a child’s abilities.

They also fear the tests could become obsolete as it would be another seven years until a comparable test is taken that can be used to gauge the child’s progress, during which time government policy on testing could change.

Early Education chief executive Beatrice Merrick said head teachers have come under pressure to introduce the new testing arrangements.

“It is wrong that school leaders are being pressured to adopt assessment practices in their schools which are not in the best interests of children,” she said.

“Ministers must urgently rethink this policy and demonstrate their commitment to the sound early years principles which underlie the EYFS curriculum.  

“Accountability of schools is an important principle, but the proposed baseline assessment tests are not a sound, effective or valuable means of showing how schools meet the needs of their children."

Early Education and TACTYC have produced guidance urging head teachers who decide to bring in the baseline tests to choose a model that is most closely aligned to the EYFS assessment.

Schools also need to think carefully about how they report results to parents, the two groups add, as the outcomes measured are so narrow.

TACTYC chair Jane Payler added: "The overriding concern must be to ensure excellent quality early years provision for young children around the time of school entry. Any measures of accountability that threaten such provision must be resisted."

In January more than 2,000 people, including influential early years sector figures such as Cathy Nutbrown, head of the school of education at the University of Sheffield, signed a petition urging the government to scrap baseline testing in reception classes.

Merrick added that just under 3,000 people had now signed the petition, which is set to be handed to ministers ahead of the general election in May.