I spent a couple of sessions last week as a volunteer reader in a local primary school, to assist in the administering of the year six Sats. Children with certain levels of special educational needs must be provided with a personal reader to help them decipher the questions in the maths and science tests.

We were a motley crew of helpers.

I had volunteered with some reservation, having always had a theoretical objections to the Sats. I came away from the experience even more appalled than I anticipated, and discussions with a work colleague who had helped at another local primary school only served to confirm my opinion that the whole process is tantamount to institutionalised child abuse.

One child was sobbing before the maths test began; three other children dissolved into tears during another test - the regulations do not permit the adults to comfort them in the normal way in these circumstances.

A dyslexic boy who knew he was to be assisted by a hitherto unknown adult had lain awake half the night worrying and yawned his way through the maths problems.

Yet another worked with a bucket beside his table, having been literally sick with worry before the test began.

These are examples from just two primary schools.

One thing is clear, they have nothing to do with education.

Linda Marshall Budebury Road Staines