CHILDREN went on a strike this morning in support of a boycott in protest over exams for six and seven-year-olds.

Parents of pupils at Livingstone School, in Baring Road, New Barnet, are spending the day in protest at Trent Park, in Cockfosters, over claims the exams are too hard.

Instead, they staged a fun day of outdoor learning where they took part in arts and crafts – instead of revising for the exams which are due to be held later this month.

Kate Orr, whose son Felix attends Livingstone, said they have gained support from many people and feels the school is also on their side.

She said: “It is brilliant when you look at all the press it has received.

“Everyone is up in arms, this is putting too much stress on the children, and on the teachers, who instead of coming in to inspire their pupils are just ticking boxes.

“It is not just about today, it is about making a stand; we know maths and English are important, but so is the way they are taught.”

Around 15 children took part in the activities this morning.

More than 380,000 people have signed the petition organised by the Let Our Kids Be Kids campaign, who claim they are “over-tested and overworked”.  

Andy Chrysstafi was there with his granddaughter, seven-year-old Mia, and said he could not see how officially testing the children would benefit them at their age.

Retired Mr Chrysstafi, who taught for 18 years and is a former teacher trainer, said: “Children progress at different rates, testing them like this now will not tell you anything.

“It really is pointless, it means teachers cannot formulate their own strategies and cater each individual child.

“They are very difficult too – I am a reasonably well-educated man, and I could not do one of her practice maths problems, and the comprehension tasks are inappropriate for seven-year-olds.

“Mia has been struggling with the amount of homework she has had to do, and the teachers are having to put in extra classes in the holidays, which is unheard of in my view.

“These are not their GCSEs or A-Levels, we must stop treating kids like they are much older than they are.”

Mia added: “I’m feeling quite unsure about the exams, I don’t know all my take away signs.

“There is more work than before, I get challenged a lot more than before.

“But I am still enjoying school – today has been brilliant.”

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said the campaign to keep children away from school is “damaging”.

She said: "To those who say we should let our children be creative, imaginative, and happy – of course I agree, both as a parent and as the Education Secretary.

“But I would ask them this – how creative can a child be if they struggle to understand the words on the page in front of them – they certainly can’t enjoy them?

"Keeping children home – even for a day – is harmful to their education and makes the lives of dedicated teachers harder. I urge those running these campaigns to reconsider their actions‎."