PARENTS in Furness and South Lakes were keeping their children off school today in a protest against over testing and tests for those as young as six.

The national primary pupil strike has been organised by the Let Our Kids Be Kids campaign.

It believes children are being "over tested," "over worked" and the school system places too much importance on test results and league tables.

Parents who feel the same have been invited to keep their children off school for a day of educational fun.

The campaign is particularly against the Key Stage One National Curriculum tests which it says "represent a needless pressure" on six and seven-year-olds.

The campaign website shows a map of action. It features a lone supporter in Dalton, parents in Grasmere who were taking their children to the park and a group event at Wray Castle, Windermere.

Rebecca Heaton Cooper, of Grasmere, is keeping her five-year-old twins off school with possibly as many as 11 other parents.    

Mrs Heaton Cooper said it is nothing to do with the "wonderful" Grasmere CE Primary School and the parents have written to the school.

She said there is "unified support" against the pressure the government puts on children, teachers and parents through testing and other questionable policies.

Mrs Heaton Cooper said: "I'm really, really concerned at the moment. Nicky Morgan's education policies are so narrow, it's like a one size fits all."

The mum said she knows all children need to be assessed, but she feels the goal posts have been moved with higher and higher expectations from a young age.

Mrs Heaton Cooper said: "Ultimately there is too much pressure on the children.

"This is also a form of support for the teachers, while fighting for our children.

"The very fact there are parents who are prepared to take children out of school speaks volumes."

The mum said it is also a stand against forcing schools to become academies.

Chris Brooksbank, Cumbria secretary of the National Union of Teachers said: "I think the majority of teachers would understand why parents want to express that they are dissatisfied with the government."

The Department for Education said mastering the basics of literacy and numeracy at primary school has a huge impact on how well children do at GCSE. It also said tests help teachers identify what support pupils need.

Parents can face fines for taking their children out of school without permission.

The campaign created a template letter for parents to send to schools.

Could you answer the type of questions our six- and seven-year-olds and 10 and 11-year-olds are expected to answer? 

Have a go by clicking here