HUNDREDS of parents face £60 fines for taking their children out of school in protest against tests.

Parents across Sussex are planning to take part in the Let Kids Be Kids protest against changes to the national curriculum and SAT exams - claiming they cause their children undue stress – tomorrow.

The tests, described as "deeply wrong", have been criticised by parents and education experts.

A rally planned for Preston Park in Brighton is expected to attract up to 600 parents and children.

However Councillor Tom Bewick, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s children, young people and skills, warned the council is planning on taking a strong line and families could end up with a £60 fine per parent for unauthorised absence.

Despite this parents on the Brighton rally Facebook page have said they have already had letters from some schools saying even through their child will be marked as taking unauthorised absence, no further action will be taken.

Nupur Verma, mother to six year old Sashika, who has organised one of the events taking place, said: "Children are put under huge stress at a very young age and teachers are finding the tests unworkable.

"It seems like our children are being set up to fail.

“It is up to each school to make the decision on whether to impose a fine. Ours has already said that because of the exceptional circumstances, they will take no further action.

“However if there are consequences then so be it. A stand needs to be made.”

Jo Tregenza, head of teacher training at the University of Sussex, added: “This government needs to look again at how we measure progress in primary schools and they must take into account the views of teachers and children.”

Year two pupils will have to complete the overhauled tests from today and will continue over the coming weeks.

Cllr Bewick said that while he is sympathetic to the aims of the strike, it is not the right way to protest.

He said: "We are putting guidance out to schools and if there are any parents who think they’re going to get soft treatment, they should think again."

However parents on the Brighton rally Facebook page have said they have already had letters from some schools saying even through their child will be marked as taking unauthorised absence, no further action will be taken.

The Brighton protest will take place with parents being asked to assemble at the clock tower in Preston Park at 9.30am, and create a giant sign reading NO SATS for an aerial picture.

A further protest will be taking place in Shoreham where parents from Swiss Gardens Primary School will be meeting from 10am at Buckingham Park.

The Let the Kids Be Kids website shows people around the county, including Worthing, Hassocks, Eastbourne, Crawley, East Grinstead, Pulborough, Burwash and Hastings are either staging individual protests or joining other groups.