Enthusiastic pupils in Wolverhampton have spoken of the benefits of “hands on” learning after being released from the shackles of streams of government tests.

Wolverhampton Grammar School’s pre-school year provides a foundation for 10 and 11 year olds. Called the Big Six programme, it is built on six themes – skills, personality, intelligence, reflection, interest and tenacity – with the school relying on their own assessment schemes to chart the children’s progress.

Elliott Jones and Katie Lambeth, both from Finchfield, have been enrolled on the Big Six programme since the start of the academic year. Ten year old Katie said she didn’t miss the constant testing at her previous school as it made learning less fun. “I do think tests stop you from enjoying learning” she said. “At my old school you had to do test after test just so you could get a better mark at the end of the year.”

Elliott, also ten, said he was relishing life at the secondary school despite still being primary school age. “The learning has been different and more hands on although we still have tests in spelling and maths. I especially enjoy the art lessons and I also play for the Year 7 football team.”

Jaskiran Gill, 13, was in the first group to be introduced to the programme in 2004.

“I had a great time in Big Six and it was an excellent teaching experience,” she said. “We were encouraged to learn in a fun way without having to sit in classrooms doing tests all day.” Jaskiran, from Compton, said the path from primary to secondary education has also been made less rocky because of the school’s Peer Support Programme. “It was slightly frightening at first as the school is a lot bigger than my primary school. But after about a week I really felt a part of the school community. Each pupil was provided with a ‘Buddy’ – an older pupil who we could talk to if we had a problem.”