TEACHING unions in East Lancashire have reacted angrily to the news the government is considering the reintroduction of national tests for seven-year-olds.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan is today set to announce a shake-up of the primary school assessment process after concerns were raised that the current methods are ineffective.

Her speech, which will be delivered to the think tank Policy Exchange this lunchtime, is expected to outline a major overhaul of the appraisal scheme.

John Girdley, the executive member representing Lancashire for the teacher’s union NASUWT, claims the announcement will go down badly with his members.

He said: “We do not look on this very favourably.

“Teachers are already working under enormous pressure, their workload is totally ridiculous.

“Having to prepare another group of children for yet more exams will just put more pressure teachers who simply do not need it.

“It is hard enough to recruit primary school teachers as it is.”

Pupils at key stage one – years one and two – are already assessed on literacy, writing, maths and science by their own teachers and schools.

Mr Girdley added: “The pressure on the children is already phenomenal.

“Over the recent half term holiday we know that some primary school pupils had homework for every day of the week.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “Primary school assessments at five, seven and 11 will remain. Indeed, we are looking at ways to make them more rigorous.”

From next year, primary schools will have the option of taking part in the reception year assessments, with the majority choosing to undertake teacher observation tests.

Head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has supported reintroducing formal tests for seven-year-olds.

He said: “Talk to any good headteacher and they will tell you it was a mistake to abolish those tests .”