PARENTS worried about proposed changes to primary school education are to gather tonight to discuss their response to the Government.

Dozens of parents are expected to attend the Botley meeting which comes amid a suggested shake-up of SATs tests.

Some families are also concerned about the impact of SATs – taking place at the moment – on the curriculum and children's wellbeing.

A draft consultation on the changes closes on June 22 and the meeting will allow parents to discuss the proposals and how they might wish to respond.

Organiser Cath Little, whose daughter Rosa is in Year Two at Botley Primary School, said: "The school has been fantastic and is making every effort to make the Key Stage 1 SATs as stress free as possible.

"But I am deeply worried about the impact they have on narrowing the curriculum and I have heard people saying their seven-year-olds are stressed at school because of them.

"Parents cannot be abreast of everything in the consultation, so this meeting is a chance for us all to come together and discuss the proposed changes and share some ideas."

The Government has proposed making SATs for seven-year-olds optional and to bring back tests for reception pupils, aged four and five.

Mrs Little said: "There is some good stuff in the consultation, such as doing away with Key Stage 1 SATs.

"But putting in their place these flawed and discredited baseline tests for four-year-olds is not good and is something I am really concerned about.

"I want to have a voice in my child's education and it feels it is a political football."

The meeting is targeted at parents at Botley Primary School, North Hinksey Church of England Primary School and St Swithun's Primary School in Kennington

It is believed Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon Layla Moran might attend, but the event is not party political and is open to all.

Lib Dem county councillor Emily Smith, whose children Alex and Ben are in Year 3 respectively at Botley Primary, will also be attending.

She said: "We thought it would be a good idea to have a public meeting to raise concerns about SATs and encourage local parents to get involved and respond to the consultation.

"Botley Primary have done a really good job but it is difficult for the teachers.

"As a parent I think I would rather the teachers were teaching my children interesting things.

"I do not want them just to be practising for tests."

The meeting at St Peter and St Paul's Church Hall in Elms Parade will start at 7.45pm.

For more information email cathlittle@gmail.com or call 07967 392229.