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Teachers to vote on Sats boycott Teachers to vote on Sats boycott
(about 1 hour later)
Teachers are expected to back a boycott of Sats tests for children aged seven and 11 in England - unless ministers agree to scrap the exams.Teachers are expected to back a boycott of Sats tests for children aged seven and 11 in England - unless ministers agree to scrap the exams.
National Union of Teachers members, meeting in Cardiff for their annual conference, are preparing to vote on planned joint action with headteachers.National Union of Teachers members, meeting in Cardiff for their annual conference, are preparing to vote on planned joint action with headteachers.
Union leaders say the tests are damaging to pupils and demean staff.Union leaders say the tests are damaging to pupils and demean staff.
The government says it will review Sats but will not scrap them, viewing the tests as vital for parents and schools.The government says it will review Sats but will not scrap them, viewing the tests as vital for parents and schools.
It has described the proposal to boycott Sats as "irresponsible".It has described the proposal to boycott Sats as "irresponsible".
Last year's tests were dogged by marking problems, which caused delays in results being sent out and gave fresh impetus to those who opposed to them.Last year's tests were dogged by marking problems, which caused delays in results being sent out and gave fresh impetus to those who opposed to them.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls later scrapped Sats for 14-year-olds in England, but kept the tests for younger pupils.Schools Secretary Ed Balls later scrapped Sats for 14-year-olds in England, but kept the tests for younger pupils.
'Biggest battle''Biggest battle'
The government says they allow parents and schools to track pupils' progress.The government says they allow parents and schools to track pupils' progress.
Hundreds of thousands of 11-year-olds are preparing to sit Sats exams in maths, English and science next month.Hundreds of thousands of 11-year-olds are preparing to sit Sats exams in maths, English and science next month.
HAVE YOUR SAYSats for 11-year-olds are essential because they give an indication of a child's ability in the core subjects... they also highlight strengths and weaknesses within the primary schoolHeather Morris, Shropshire Send us your comments
The National Union of Teachers' has proposed to boycott the tests in 2010 jointly with the National Association of Head Teachers.The National Union of Teachers' has proposed to boycott the tests in 2010 jointly with the National Association of Head Teachers.
Both unions say the tests damage children's education because teachers are forced to "teach to the test", narrowing the curriculum.Both unions say the tests damage children's education because teachers are forced to "teach to the test", narrowing the curriculum.
However, other unions have not joined the call.However, other unions have not joined the call.
BBC education correspondent James Westhead said the promise of a review was unlikely to satisfy teachers "set to embark on one of their biggest battles yet with the government".BBC education correspondent James Westhead said the promise of a review was unlikely to satisfy teachers "set to embark on one of their biggest battles yet with the government".

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