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 Pupil's Area: SAT's
What are SATs?
SATs stand for: Standard Assessment Tests. Many people refer to them as SATs.
They were introduced in 1988 by the Conservative government.
Children in Years 2 and 6, nationally, are assessed at the end of the key stage. These assessments are compulsory for schools to follow.
The tests are intended to show if your child is working at, above or below the target levels for their age, so that the right plans can be made for their future learning.
They also allow schools to see whether they are teaching effectively, by looking at their pupils performance against national results.
During Key Stage 1, assessments which are done during Year 2, for seven year olds cover:
- reading
- writing (including handwriting and spelling)
- maths
The assessments can be taken when the school chooses. They are generally spread out and done over a period of time. The tests usually take upto three hours. The results of the assessments help your child's teacher plan your child's future learning.
The expected level, nationally, that children are expected to achieve at the age of seven is level 2. Achieving a level 3 is beyond national expectations.
Key Stage 2 Assessments
Key Stage 2 tests for 11 year olds cover:
- English - reading, writing (including handwriting) and spelling
- Maths - including mental maths (arithmetic)
- Science
These tests are held on set days (please refer to school calendar and the timetable further on this page), and usually last less than five-and-a-half hours altogether. They are carried out over the space of a week.
At the age of 11, most children are expected to achieve level 4. Working at level 5 is beyond national expectations.
Teacher Assessment
As part of everday teaching, teachers assess pupils. This assessment can be done on an informal basis e.g. through pupils answering questions, the teacher listening to your child read and the marking of books to name a few! Formal asessments are made when the teacher assesses the level at which your child is working at. This done through assessing the pupils in maths, reading and writing against National Currciulum Levels. Optional SATs are used in Years 3, 4 and 5 to assess progress in maths. The Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs also formally assess the level at which your child is working at.
Reporting Procedures
In Years 2 and 6, the summer term report has a separate section for reporting on the end of Key Stage Assessment.
At the end of Key Stage One, the Year 2 teachers report on the children's reading, writing, speaking and listening, maths and science. At the end of Key Stage Two, the Year 6 teachers report on the children's reading, writing, maths and science. The results from SATs are reported too.
The Tests
The format of the tests do vary. On average, they take the following form:
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English |
Reading (45 minutes + 15 mins reading time)
Writing Long - 45 minutes and short - 20 minutes
Spelling 10 mins
Handwriting is marked as part of the writing tests |
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Maths |
Mental Maths (20 minutes)
Written Paper A (45 minutes)
Written Paper B (45 minutes) |
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Science |
Year 6 only
science (paper A) 45 minutes
science (paper B) 45 minutes |
What the school does to help your child:
During Year 6 we continue to plan and deliver our exciting curriculumto the pupils. We do spend some time in the spring and early summer term to help your child prepare for the tests whilst still delivering our exciting curriculum. Our philosophy is that the children try their best and are supported in preparing for the tests. Preparing for the tests in this way ensures that your child feels more ready for the tests whilst still continuing to enjoy and follow the school currciulum.
As part of the daily English and Maths lessons, references to the National Tests are made. This is also true of the science lessons too. Questions from previous papers are practised, advice on how to read and answer questions, and managing their time during the tests. Nearer the time, the children are given the set timetable for the week of the tests.
To aid revision, we provide revision booklets for each of the subjects. The office orders copies of the Letts series of question and answer books which are avilable to purchase. These books are cheaper thean the recommended retail price.
The homework that is sent out during this time reflects some of the things that are asked during the SATs tests. It provides practice and then is discussed in a supportive environment at school. We appreciate that SATs can be a worrying time for both parents and pupils. We provide a supportive environment that aims to prepare the pupils and for them not too spend time worrying about the tests. Our aim is simple; for the pupils to try their best!
Your child's class teacher is always available to provide support and advice to your child. Please do not hesiatate to contact the school should you have any queries about SATs.
Ways to help your child:
· Reassuring him/her that they just have to try their best on the day;
· Encouraging your child to spend 10-20 minutes a day on revision or practice;
· Reminding him/her that in most parts of the SAT papers, children do not have to write in sentences: often, phrases or even single words will be enough . There are sometimes a variety of tick boxes;
· Making sure he/she has breakfast every day, especially during the week of the tests - children who miss breakfast perform worse in late morning;
· The brain needs hydration. Water bottles help to keep the children hydrated and can help their concentration levels.
Timetable - Year 6 SAT's 2008
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Monday 12th May |
Tuesday 13th May |
Wednesday 14th May |
Thursday 15th May |
Friday 16th May |
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Science test A
45 minutes |
Writing test
(shorter task)
20 minutes
And Spelling test
10 minutes |
Reading test
45 minutes (plus 15 minutes reading time) |
Mental mathematics test
20 minutes |
Mathematics test B
45 minutes |
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Science test B
45 minutes |
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Mathematics test A
45 minutes |
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Writing test
(longer task)
45 minutes |
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