A PARENT is supporting teachers’ plans to boycott this month’s controversial SAT exams for 11-year-olds.

Giles Ungpakorn, whose son Jun, 11, attends St Mary and John School, in East Oxford, is planning not to send the youngster into school for the exams.

It comes after the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) claimed the majority of schools will not put children through the national curriculum tests.

About 6,000 Oxfordshire children in 232 primary schools are due to take Key Stage Two SATs tests in English and maths from May 10-14.

Mr Ungpakorn, 56, of London Road, Headington, said: “My son used to enjoy school, but since he got into year six it is been all about cramming for exams.

“After the Easter break they have stopped teaching and said they are just going to do to test after test. It is turning education on its head.

“I have sent flyers around the school protesting against the exams, but the headteacher has sent a letter to parents saying she will go ahead with them.

“The exams leave children feeling miserable.”

Jun said: “I really do not want to take the SATs. We have to take a test a day to prepare and they make you really nervous.

“My friends feel the same way. I like to do PE and art, but we are not allowed at the moment.”

Headteacher Pippa Murray declined to comment.

The unions are expecting to receive the full results from a ballot in the next few days.

Headteacher at Carterton Primary School Mike Curtis has scrapped the exams.

He said: “Instead, we will teach throughout May, then in June the pupils will take an exam from last year, which will be marked by their teacher and be used to form a comprehensive report on the child.

“The SATs are not reliable as you cannot assess a child on a one-off exam.

“I am not worried about our school not being in league tables. I think parents do not trust them anyway.”

A national ballot revealed 61.3 per cent of NAHT members supported the boycott, while in the NUT 74.9 per cent of those who responded were in favour of taking action.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Louise Mendonca said the council was awaiting advice from the Local Government Employers Association and the Government.

bellery@oxfordmail.co.uk