NEU comment on times tables trial

Commenting on government plans to trial times table tests for primary children, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said:

"The National Education Union is opposed to the introduction of this unnecessary and expensive test.

"Learning the times tables is important, and already part of the curriculum. The test will tell teachers nothing they don't already know, will disrupt teaching and simply reflects a ministerial obsession with testing children.