TEACHERS backed plans that could see them boycott a new mandatory reading test for Year 8 pupils yesterday.

Delegates at the National Education Union (NEU) annual conference voted to publicly oppose the introduction of the test, which ministers announced last year and for the union to survey secondary school members to see whether they would be willing to boycott the tests.

Delegate Holly Williams warned against another high-stakes national assessment that would increase pressure on pupils and narrow the curriculum.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Identifying which children struggle with reading is not the problem. 

“A new mandatory test at Year 8 will mean more time spent preparing children for a test, diverting valuable time and resources away from teaching a broad, balanced and content-rich curriculum that nurtures a genuine love of reading.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the test will help schools identify children at risk of falling behind.