SATs boycott: Parents to keep children out of school in protest of exams

Thousands of primary school pupils in the North East are expected to be absent today, as parents pull them out to protest against changes to SATs tests.

They say the tests, particularly for Year2s, have become too hard and are causing the children stress.

The government says it's made them more rigorous to improve standards.

There are events scheduled across the region tomorrow for children who are not in school.

Some of these are planned to include storytelling, arts, crafts and outdoor activities.

The Department for Education is reminding parents they should only take their children out of school in exceptional circumstances.