Study says children starting school too early

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - Starting school at the age of four is "stressful" to children and does not help their education, according to a major review of English primary schools which also concluded kids take too many tests too early.

The Cambridge University review noted that some English children start at primary school two years earlier than in other countries.

By law, they must start full-time education in the term after their fifth birthday -- although the report found many start at the age of four.

In Denmark and Finland, for example, they start school at the beginning of their seventh year.

The review, incorporating several reports from other research organisations and universities, also found a negative culture of testing in English schools, which it said was because the system is too preoccupied with standards.

Testing happens more often, at a younger age and in more subjects, putting unprecedented pressure on students while having questionable benefits, it concluded.

It was also critical of increased uniformity of school curriculums, teaching methods and assessment.

In one report, from the National Foundation for Educational Research, the practice of allowing children to start school at such an early age was found to be "stressful".