Are young children tested enough already in school or will the new  tests be an incentive to make sure children do leave primary school knowing their times tables? Read more below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43046142

Reasearchers are looking into the effects of putting children into ability groups in EYFS and KS1.  They are concerned that some children are made to believe right from the start that they cannot achieve because they know they are in a low ability group. Read the report at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42154013?intlink_from_url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c77jz3mdqr1t/primary-education&link_location=live-reporting-story

New research suggests that fathers reading with their children can be beneficial to both father and child. Blackpool has set up the FRED scheme to help fathers have access to books through libraries and has built up their confidence to read with their children. The outcome appears to be that children's self-esteem, relationships and behaviour are improved and they are doing better at school.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41742797

Watch the fascinating video of the Royal Northern Sinfonia Orchestra playing for a school in Newcastle to encourage new musicians.  One little boy said 'the music was beautiful and it made me smile'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tyne-41447838/orchestra-takes-music-into-the-classroom

The Department for Education is proposing to do away with the SATs test at year 2 by the early 2020s and replace it with a teacher assessment when children start school.  You can read more on the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41274741