KEEPING all formal primary school tests will worsen pupil wellbeing, with those in high deprivation areas worst affected, the National Education Union (NEU) has warned.

Ministers accepted a review’s recommendation to broadly retain primary school statutory assessments such as Sats earlier this month.

A NEU survey of 517 primary school teachers published today found that three in four believe the decision will worsen the engagement and well-being of pupils, with 86 per cent saying that Sats alone worsen pupil well-being.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “A top-down ‘exam factory’ culture and a stifling curriculum have, up to now, resulted in high rates of mental ill health among young people, the choice of subjects at secondary being reduced, and a level of disengagement that can lead to classroom disruption and truancy.”

The Department for Education said: “We won’t shy away from driving high and rising standards for every child.”