Tories criticised for reading test plans

David Cameron has been criticised for his plans to test children's reading at the age of six.

The Tory leader is set to announce on Tuesday his plans to ensure all children are able to read by the end of year one.

But the Conservatives have been accused of "hastily cobbling together" proposals to boost reading and improve discipline, ahead of the announcement by Mr Cameron.

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove revealed an ambitious plan on Sunday to scrap the Key Stage 1 exam for six and seven-year-olds and replace it with a straightforward reading test.

The National Primary Headteachers' Association (NPHA) has criticised the move towards a reading test at the end of year one.

NPHA spokesman, Chris Davis, said: "It flies in the face of international evidence that suggests children do better if they start formal education later on."

He added: "The target is too early. One of the worst things you can do with a very young child is give them the impression that they can't do something. That can put them off for a very long time, if not for ever."

Mr Grove has revealed that a key feature of the Tory drive will involve extending the use of "synthetic phonics", which focuses on teaching the sounds which make up words.

He said: "Nowhere has the educational establishment's influence been more damaging than in teaching reading.

"It is only once children have learnt to read that they can then go on to read to learn."

Mr Gove also said the Tories would give schools greater authority over exclusions by removing appeals, suggesting that headteachers were "frustrated" with the current system.

But John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, criticised the move to end appeals against exclusions.

He said: "The reason we don't (support the Tory proposal) is because we have consistently said appeals panels provide the natural justice avenue of appeal.

"If it were not there, it would mean parents would take schools to court and headteachers do not want to spend more time in court defending appeals actions."

Mr Cameron is set to outline Tory education policy further with the publication of a "green paper" detailing long-term structural proposals.

Plans will involve targeting resources at those deemed most in need and challenging teaching methods which have sidelined synthetic phonics despite evidence of its success.

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said that synthetic phonics was useful but that the Tories were "obsessed" with it.

"They somehow think it is a magic solution for everything else," he said.

Schools minister Jim Knight accused the Tories of trying to divert attention from disagreements in his party over the opening of new grammar schools.

He said: "This announcement was hastily cobbled together to divert attention from another looming row in the Conservative Party on grammar schools."

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