I found David Hawker’s letter most disturbing. Despite my belief about the anti-educational and trivialising effect national tests have upon learning, I had, at least, always thought they were nothing other than an ill-conceived attempt to collect information about children’s learning. Such information was needed in order to construct league tables to uphold the free-market ethic, within which education is now enshrined.
David Hawker appears to have signalled that these tests now define the curriculum. If ever a tail wagged a dog.
Mike Ollerton Greenbank Crook Kendal, Cumbria
