PROPOSALS to force children to resit failed Year 6 exams at secondary school have been slammed by Swindon educators.

The Conservative Party has made the election pledge, with party leader David Cameron insisting that Year 6 children who do not pass their SATs will have to take them again in Year 7 if they were voted into power on May 7.

But while the Conservative Party claims it will drive up standards and prevent youngsters from falling behind, Luke Wareham, director of the Swindon Tuition Centre, said the tests can already have a negative impact on the quality of children’s education, forcing them under unnecessary pressure.

“Unfortunately Year 6 pupils sitting their SATs come under a great deal of pressure from parents, teachers and also competition amongst peers to achieve the highest level that they can during this time of the academic year,” he said.

“Much cramming goes on for these exams during the spring and summer months and pupils are taught to answer questions, write in a particular style and recall mathematical information ‘parrot fashion’ in order to get to that extra level.

“As a result, we have a massive influx of tutees into the centre. Parents want us to teach exam technique, speed and tips for the big day. This is due to secondary schools using the data to inform them of which set to put them in.

"Once through this period, we at the centre have to then ‘detrain’ them, so that they slow down a little; work methodically; ensure that sentences or mathematical answers are logical by checking their work, etc in order to prepare for GCSEs and the world of further education and ultimately work.

“I feel that SATs are another example where the system does not trust the professionals to assess accurately — and unfortunately it’s the children who suffer as a result.

“Do I think that the Tories should make children sit another set of exams after the summer? No.”

Meanwhile both Swindon’s Green Party candidates also disagreed with SATs resits.

“The money it will cost to put up to 100,000 pupils through a re-sit would be far better invested in supporting schools and teachers at an earlier stage of schooling,” said Poppy Hebden-Leeder, Swindon Greens’ North Swindon candidate.

Talis Kimberley-Fairbourn, South Swindon Green candidate, said: “The Green Party will reduce the amount of testing altogether, not increase it.

"This SATS ‘re-sit’ plan is completely the wrong thing to do, for over-stretched teachers and their already over-tested pupils.

“Our children are already anxious and stressed at far too young an age. Youngsters’ skills won’t be improved by extra testing; they need time and support and smaller class sizes, well-resourced schools, and teachers who know that they’re valued and trusted.”

But the Conservative Party candidate for North Swindon, Justin Tomlinson, defended his party’s promise, explaining it formed part of their plans to crack down on failure.

He said: “We are injecting more rigour and zero tolerance of failure.

"Young people only get one opportunity in life and we are absolutely right to make sure no one is left behind.

"Evidence shows if we fail to get it right for young people at the start of secondary school, they’ll struggle for the rest of their time in education.

"Rightly our priority is to make sure all young people are equipped with the skills needed to progress.”