Children have gone on strike in protest at tough new tests.
Thousands around the coun try were kept away from school by their parents.
In Slaithwaite, dozens of primary-aged pupils swapped the classroom for outdoors learning and play at a special Be More Outdoors forest school.
They had been taken out of school by their parents as part of a national day of action called for by parent network Let Kids Be Kids over the controversial English, maths and science-based SATs tests, formally known as National Curriculum tests.
Those aged six to seven in year two and those 10 and 11 in year six will have to sit the week long exams this month, which have been made harder due to the Government’s decision to raise the expectation of standards through them from 2016.
VIDEO: Children's Laureate Chris Riddell hits out at school tests
Alan Scully, lead practitioner at Be More Outdoors which runs outdoor learning activities, decided to hold the extra forest school session due to demand.
“Our client base had expressed an interested in coming together on the strike day”, said Alan, who is also a dad to Sydney, 10.
“We had to cap the numbers at 40 due to it being the number we can manage.
“We had a lovely time singing songs and listening to stories around a campfire and making animals out of natural materials.”
He explained the feelings of parents there about the tests.
“The general consensus was that they disagree with the tests that are taking place”, said Alan.
“They see them as hampering their educational development because of the elevated stress levels that tests cause to children of a young age.
“I think learning should be encouraged at young ages through play where they can pursue their own motivations.
“But you have a set up in schools which turns children away from educational development and that’s just counter productive.
“Tests only measure your ability to take tests. While they may be necessary at some point to make it so important at such young ages doesn’t make any sense.
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“My daughter remembers having to miss playtime to take her SATs and that’s what sums it up for me– play is what these children should be doing at that age.”
More than 40,000 people signed a petition supporting a boycott of Year 2 Sats, while current children’s laureate Chris Riddell and his predecessor Michael Rosen have both hit out at the exams.
But Sir Michael Wilshaw, the national chief inspector of schools, said the tests are crucial in identifying children who are struggling with English and maths and helping them improve.
