By Neil McKay SCIENCE testing in British primary schools is having a negative impact on encouraging children's natural curiosity, say North East academics. Durham University education experts today call for a new approach to science teaching in primary schools.

School standards have "stalled" as one in five children leaves primary education unable to read, write and add up properly, Ofsted warned yesterday.

By Pamela Jayasinghe I COULD not agree more with J.M. Ding of Subang Jaya ("There's no valid reason to back-track - NST, May 15). I have three children in school and all three have been victims of the fickle-mindedness of the Ministry of Education.

By Sarah Cassidy Education Correspondent Teaching young children in groups according to their ability does not increase their achievements and is damaging to those pupils allocated to the bottom groups, the biggest review into primary education for 40 years has concluded.

By Richard Garner Education Editor The excessive testing regime in schools is making children mentally ill, a teachers' leader warned yesterday as she condemned the Government's hands-on approach to primary education.