PARENTS who want the best for their children don't take them out of school lightly.

It speaks volumes about the depth of anger felt over Government plans for new tests for children as young as six, therefore, that so many parents will tomorrow be keeping their children away from school in protest.

Parents from Lord Deramores, Heworth and Naburn primary schools are among those whose children will be involved in a national 'strike'.

The parents argue that children are being tested too young - and are having too much workload piled on them at too early an age.

"Life in the classroom is geared towards passing tests rather than them (children) developing a lifelong interest in education," said Bridget Payton, who has two children at Lord Deramores. "It doesn't encourage you to carry on if you are told you've failed something before you had even started."

We understand the Government's desire to drive up children's attainment standards, particularly in English and maths.

But the proposals for the new Key Stage One and Key Stage Two SATS tests (for children aged 6-7 and 10-11 respectively) have already been dogged by problems. Ministers even had to cancel a new spelling and grammar test after it was accidentally put online in January.

Clearly, with a parents' revolt now on its hands, the Government's problems with these tests go far deeper.

English children are amongst the most heavily tested in the world. Is that really the best way to foster a love of learning?

We honestly don't know. But clearly ministers have some way to go before they can persuade parents of the fact.