Head teachers support Sats boycott
Updated on 02 May 2009
England's head teachers vote 94 per cent in favour of balloting to boycott school Sats tests. Keme Nzerem reports.
This latest challenge to Gordon Brown's authority comes despite a last-ditch plea from the schools secretary, Ed Balls.
It means the government is facing a legal confrontation with head teachers after they overwhelmingly backed plans to boycott Sats tests.
Less than two hours before the vote the schools secretary, Ed Balls, told their union conference their motion was wrong and irresponsible.
His appeal was rejected, as the heads argued the tests, taken by 11-year-olds in England, put too much pressure on children and narrow the curriculum.
The government insists heads are obliged by law to ensure the tests go ahead.
