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  1. ITV Report

Thousands of primary school children to trial 'times tables check'

Thousands of primary school children will trial a new 'times tables check' this spring.

The Year Four pupils will have a five minute test, allowing teachers to monitor their progress.

Silkmore School in Stafford is one of the 290 primary schools in England trialling the check, which will be compulsory from 2020.

Eight and nine-year-olds will take a five minute test to monitor their progress. Credit: ITV News Central

School standards minister Nick Gibb said:

Just as the phonics screening check helps children who are learning to read, the multiplication tables check will help teachers identify those pupils who require extra support.

This will ensure that all pupils leave primary school knowing their times tables off by heart and able to start secondary school with a secure grasp of the fundamental mathematics they need to fulfil their potential.

– Nick Gibb

But while it's expected to help children learn their times tables off by heart, critics have slammed it as 'disappointing'.

Nick Brook, Deputy General Secretary at head teacher';s

But the move is opposed by the head teacher's union NAHT. Nick Brook, the the union's deputy general secretary, said:

We're working constructively with the Government on primary assessment generally so it's hugely disappointing that they are still intent on the introduction of a multiplication tables test, which NAHT opposes.

– Nick Brook