We've been finding out whether they matter - and asking whether it's time the system changed.

We spoke to Margaret Morrissey of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations and one mother, Rosemary Boyle, whose children are sitting SATS this week.

Click here to see our interview with Margaret Morrissey and Rosemary Boyle

Margaret Morrissey said that although it is important to test children to measure progress, those tests shouldn't be allowed to stress children.

It's not acceptable that we're putting any sort of stress on a seven year old

And mother Rosemary Boyle said that it was important children know what the tests are about.

Both agreed that the exams had a tendency to take the fun out of school - especially in the run up to the tests, and leave less time for activities such as music and dance.

See below for tips on dealing with exam stress in small children.

Tuesday May 13: Why Scotland is a SATs-free zone

SATS have been abolished in Wales - and in Scotland the system has always been different. We asked a headteacher from England and one from Scotland to compare the two systems.

Click here to see our interviews with a head teacher in England and one in Scotland.

Wednesday May 14: time to abolish SATs?

Should we abandon SATs, especially for the youngest pupils, who may still only be six years old when they take the tests?

We spoke to David Harte, from the National Association of Headteachers - he believes that SATs are too much for seven year olds and the case for taking them at 11 is also questionable.

But Katie Ivens, of the Campaign for Real Education, believes the tests perform a vital role in ensuring that all primary school children learn how to read, write and add up.

Click here to watch our debate on abolishing the tests

Katie Ivens stayed on, to debate whether children are put under too much pressure with a child psychologist, Ruth Coppard

Click here to watch our stress debate with child psychologist Ruth Coppard

Thursday May 15: Charles Clarke

We put some of your concerns about SATs to the Education Secretary Charles Clarke on Thursday's programme.

He argued that the new SATs tests had been vital in making Britain's primary education system the third best in the world.

But, he did add that the Department for Education is discussing whether it's possible to make more room for teacher assessments of seven year olds.

click here to watch Charles Clarke on SATs

Friday May 16: Another way

Can we learn anything from the way other countries teach their children?

Today we looked at how other countries teach their young people, we spoke to teachers at a Norwegian and Japanese school based in London and Buckinghamshire.

In Tokyo children are often tested from the age of four, while children in Norwegian schools can accumulate days off if they stay on for extra classes.

click here to see our report on foreign schools based in the UK.

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