Teacher Joseph Allen writes to pupils advising “relax and chill” before controversial SATs tests

Joseph Allen's letter to pupils about to sit controversial SATs tests

A letter written by Joseph Allen, who teaches at Holy Trinity CE Primary School in Littleborough, advising pupils to “relax” and “see the bigger things in life” before sitting the controversial SATs tests has attracted widespread ovation from concerned parents.

Mr Allen wrote the letter to calm the minds of his pupils who were worried about the tests, with advice such as “think of the tests as I’ve got something to do, but not the most important thing in the world.”

The SATs tests for the 10 and 11-year-old pupils have been heavily criticised recently for being too stressful for the ages of the children and have been slammed by teaching unions.

One comment even came in from America. It read: “I live in the USA and I have no idea who Mr Allen is, but I do know he has class. This comes from the heart, well done sir.”

Another from closer to home read: “I live in Yorkshire, this letter’s making an impact, as a school, and Mr Allen, please consider yourself a hero. Well done.”

Mr Allen’s letter read: “Not every skill is taught in school and even less are tested. You might be a great footballer, fantastic at acting or possess green fingers... you might be a people-person, a problem solver or a poet. SATs are never going to show off all these amazing skills.

“They don’t test whether you are a creative person, can write code, whether you are good at teaching IT skills to your granddad or have a rapport with animals.

“The big things, the most important things are things like your personality, what you believe and think and that spark inside you that makes you, you.”