PRIMARY school children in Worcestershire could be sitting a new times table test as part of a Government trial this spring.

The Department for Education (DfE) has said it will trial the multiplication check, taken by eight and nine-year-olds in England, in the spring ahead of a full roll out over the next two years.

It is understood that around 290 primaries in England, around 7,250 pupils, are expected to take part in the trials.

Two trials have already taken place, with schools across the country able to take part in the multiplication check voluntarily in June next year, with it becoming compulsory from 2020.

Supporters have argued that the check will help to ensure that all children know their tables up to 12 off by heart.

Ministers have been pushing for the test, that takes a maximum of five minutes, following a review of primary school assessment.

School standards minister Nick Gibb said: "Just as the phonics screening check helps children who are learning to read, the multiplication tables check will help teachers identify those pupils who require extra support."

But the move has been controversial, with opponents, including some teaching unions, raising concerns about the educational benefits.

Nick Brook, the head teacher’s union NAHT's deputy general secretary, said the tests "won't tell teachers and parents anything they don't already know about their children".

"We're working constructively with the Government on primary assessment generally so it's hugely disappointing that they are still intent on the introduction of a multiplication tables test," he said.

"Although school results won't be published, this Government test will be scrutinised by Ofsted when they visit and therefore become even more significant.

"A pupil's primary school years are already cluttered with tests and checks. We all want children to succeed at school, but the answer isn't to test them more."