A PROTEST against increasing pressure on primary school children will see South Lakes parents take their children out of school for a day.

Their actions will be part of the nationwide 'Let our Kids be Kids' campaign, which encourages parents to boycott school on May 3 and take their children to alternative learning activities.

The campaign has been organised in support of teachers and schools pressured by the government to teach children using a 'Ofsted driven, dull, dry curriculum aimed solely at passing SATs.'

Rachel Forrest, a teacher and mother from Kendal, said: "The reason we are doing this is because the curriculum for children coming up to SATs has changed dramatically over the last few years from being holistic and fun to becoming quite narrow because of the pressure of exams.

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"Expectations on SATs pupils are so high it's ridiculous. I have a friend with a year six daughter who brought home a practice paper and she could only do three or four of the questions. She was in tears by the end.

"We want to encourage children to enjoy learning and give teachers the opportunity to share their passions and their interests. We are taking the children out for a fun day of learning; we hope to make them lifelong learners rather than have them becoming bored of education before they leave primary school.

"Eighty-six per cent of the NUT have said they don't agree with SATs and the government aren't listening. It should be a teacher in charge of education in this country and it's not. The government have no idea."

The Facebook page and website for the campaign has received supportive comments and open letters sent in from headteachers and teachers at schools.

Parents involved are keen to stress that the point is not to suggest that teachers are not trying their best to teach well. It is to highlight the way the government are forcing an unwelcome curriculum on the education system.

"My daughter is in reception and is July born so is a young one in her year and will be one of the youngest to take SATs in a couple of years." said Jo Conway, of Kendal.

"I don't want her sitting and taking a week of tests. I want her playing and character building and making friends. SATs are too much too soon for young kids.

"I don't want to take kids out of school but I feel strongly about this. It will not be a wasted day; they will still be learning."

Different activities have been set up in the Lake District which parents can take their children to on the day.

There will be a activity day held in Serpentine Woods, which will include den building, sculpting, a scavenger hunt and the alphabet trail. A picnic at Grasmere park will also be on offer.

Diane Birks, who is organising the Serpentine Woods event, said: "It's for kids to come and play and learn through playing, which is the best way. It's better for them than being stuck in a classroom doing repetitive past papers."

Information about the campaign and the events - including letters parents can sign and send in to schools to show support - are available on the Let our Kids be Kids website:

https://letthekidsbekids.wordpress.com/