Nursery World - Reception Baseline: Overwhelming majority of parents reject testing children starting school

Just 6 per cent of parents think that children should be tested in English and Maths within their first few weeks of school, according to new research, which also revealed that most parents surveyed do not support assessment in Reception.

Parents say that children settling in and making friends are important factors for children starting school

The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) is due to become statutory from September, but campaigners argue that scrapping it should be part of the recovery plan for schools.

Some headteachers also argue that the assessment should not take place this year as most pre-school children's experiences were affected by the pandemic, and therefore any data from the tests would consequently not provide an accurate baseline measure.

Campaign group More than A Score surveyed a sample of 2,012 parents of children aged four-to – 11-years-old online between 11 and 16 March.

Just 8 per cent of parents surveyed strongly supported the introduction of the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), with the majority highlighting settling into school and making friends as key for children starting school.

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