Controversial national curriculum tests taken by six and seven-year-olds in England are to be scrapped under radical new government proposals.

Justine Greening, the education secretary, first announced she would seek views on changes to primary testing last year.

The expected proposals follow a chaotic year for primary assessment in 2016, when the introduction of new, harder tests prompted reports of increased stress among pupils, protests and boycotts by parents and pleas from school leaders for an end to the system.

The government is instead proposing a new assessment for children when they first start school, which aims to "reduce the burden" of assessment on teachers and pupils.

The new ‘baseline’ tests would be administered by teachers but pupils should not know that they are being tested, the Department for Education said.

Education Secretary Justine Greening said: "The government has reformed the primary school system to make sure children can master the basics of literacy and numeracy so they get the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in later life.

"Now we want to build on that by developing a stable assessment system that helps children learn, while freeing up teachers to do what they do best - supporting children to fulfil their potential."

The possibility that the controversial tests sat by children in Year two could be axed will be welcomed by many who argue they have been putting undue pressure on very young children.

The Let Kids Be Kids campaign said in a statement: "A massive cheer from us all here. A massive well done to all of you who have piled the pressure on and made this happen...

"A year ago we were planning the May 3 Kids' Strike and look how far we have come!"