THE minute schoolgirl Rosemary Simpkins discovered her seventh birthday clashed with exams, she decided to act -- and went straight to the top.

Rosemary, from Heaton, decided to pick up a pen and write a letter to Education Secretary Estelle Morris, asking if she could be excused from the SATS tests.

The Devonshire Road Primary School year two pupil was thrilled to receive a reply from the Government department -- but disappointed when she learned she would have to join the rest of her classmates in completing the exams after all.

Rosemary was inspired to write to the Education Secretary after seeing the politician when she visited a teaching conference in Bournemouth at Easter with her mother Julia, who works at Tonge Moor Primary.

Her mother explained that Mrs Morris looks after education for the whole country. Rosemary remembered this and decided to write to her. Rosemary was impressed when she received a reply from the Department for Education and Skills team.

Her mother, aged 46, said: "The SATS have really been playing on Rosemary's mind and she was determined to write the letter because she thought it was so unfair to have to sit exams on her birthday and when she is so young.

"She was thrilled to receive a reply, but didn't really understand what the letter said because it was written for an adult."

The letter explained that it was important for her to do the exams as she will be able to get a good job when she leaves school. It added that it was her headteacher's duty to make sure the SATS were enforced.

Rosemary might have been dreading her exams, but is looking forward to a birthday treat as her family is jetting off to Majorca for a half-term holiday next month.