IN RESPONSE to SATS resits of April 10, proposals to force children to resit failed Year 6 exams at secondary schools have been slammed by Swindon educators. Their judgement is sound and absolutely correct.

Contrary to the pledge that the proposal to resit exams would drive up standards, Luke Ware, director of the Swindon Tuition Centre, has rightly asserted that such pressure already has a negative impact on the quality of children’s education by forcing them to retake their SATS under great pressure from parents, teachers and their peers.

The word ‘fail’ will have a truly demoralising effect on a young child, who is led to believe that passing set exams is the only way forward. Children need to know that there is a wonderful world of stimulating and fulfilling direction beyond the Year 6 exams.

The word ‘fail’ should be scrapped from every curriculum. The word ‘redirection’ should apply to every child who is not exam orientated. For throughout life’s journey of happiness, heartache and pain, and the awesome challenges that prevail, it is the quality, inner strength and sense of purpose that inspires and guides us all through our destined pathway on Earth. Not the compulsion of exams and/or the most demoralising and damaging stigma of all — the word ‘fail’.

So remove the fear and distress, enhance the self confidence and enrich every precious child’s unique journey through their formative years, to take their place with self esteem and a worthy direction in our ever changing world.

MARY RATCLIFFE Old Town Swindon