School tests are making pupils “physically sick”

Teachers are concerned that the current testing system is prioritising the government’s “desire for data” instead of learning.

According to an interim report by thinktank LKMCo, the fear of being labelled as a failure is making children feel physically sick before sitting a test.

The report, Testing the Water, highlighted that there is concern about the pressure that pupils are under.

The publication, which is published by education company Pearson, states: “We heard anecdotes during workshops about primary and secondary school children losing sleep and being physically sick before sitting tests.

“Teachers, governors, parents and young people themselves emphasised how stressful tests and exams can be for children, and how the detrimental effects of this stress (including a lowering of self-esteem) far outweigh any potential benefits (such as motivating revision).”