School runs Sat test holiday camp

The classes are less formal than term-time lessons

A school in Northampton is running extra classes over the Easter holidays to help pupils do well in their national curriculum tests next month.

Ten and 11-year-olds at Thorplands Primary are in school for three extra days this week to revise for Sats.

Critics say the move is a sign of the increasing pressure on young children.

But teachers insist the scheme is about raising pupils' self-esteem - not about improving the school's rating in the national league tables in England.

Head teacher Mary Slaymaker said: "I've never been into league tables.

I can't wait 'til my Sats and I want to do well Mercy, 10

"We're not about league tables, we're about giving children the best opportunities - it's about giving them the best chance."

Mrs Slaymaker said the school - which serves one of the more deprived areas of Northampton and where 60% of pupils are entitled to free school meals - could not be easily measured against other schools in the town.

While better results might be an outcome of the holiday classes, they were not the priority, she said.

Learning to juggle

The holiday classes were offered to all 25 children in their last year of primary school.

Twenty have taken up the offer, at a cost of £1.50 a day, which includes breakfast, lunch and two snacks.

The children have had a visit from a storyteller

Colin Doney, the Year 6 teacher who is running the classes, said the extra preparation was being done in "a different way" to term-time lessons.

"It's more like a play scheme, but one with a purpose," said Mr Doney.

The pupils have had talks from the local wildlife trust, where they learned about food chains for their science tests.

They have had visits from a circus skills trainer to learn how to juggle - teachers hope this will help the pupils use both hemispheres of the brain.

And a professional story-teller has been helping them with creative writing skills.

The children don't see it as extra work or extra pressure Colin Doney, teacher

"The children don't see it as extra work or extra pressure, but being the best they can," said Mr Doney.

"Many said they'd only be at home watching TV, so they're happy to be doing something constructive."

Mr Doney, who is not being paid extra for the three days of extra tuition, added: "If they see us being committed to it, they're going to be more committed."

The scheme has cost the school about £400 to run.

Glad to be in school

Mercy, 10, said she was happy to come to school in holiday-time.

"I don't really have anything to do at home," she told the BBC News website.

"I can't wait 'til my Sats and I want to do well and I wanted to come in to do some extra revision."

Mercy and Colin Doney: No pressure

Eleven year old Michael said the extra revision should help "increase your levels on the Sats".

"It's mostly about science and I'm good at that so hopefully I'll get a level 5 and my mum will be really proud of me," he said.

Pressure

But the teachers' union, the NASUWT, said the scheme highlighted how much pressure teachers and pupils were under.

We want the tests to show what pupils have learnt during the term at school, not what they've crammed in the holidays National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations

Its general secretary, Chris Keates, said: "Because of the continuing existence of performance league tables Sats are a high stakes activity.

"It is not unusual for primary schools to give 'booster' classes in the run up to the Sats.

"We understand why but have real concerns about the extra workload on teachers and the extra pressure on pupils and staff."

HAVE YOUR SAY At the end of the day they are still children who need time to chill Deborah Lane, Redcar Send us your comments

The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations said coaching pupils for national tests undermined the notion of a level playing field.

"We want the tests to show what pupils have learnt during the term at school, not what they've crammed in the holidays," said spokeswoman Margaret Morrissey.

"It's what makes league tables and Sats results such a ridiculous event for all of us."