What are SATs?

SAT stands for ‘Standard Assessment Tests' and are also known as ‘End of Key Stage Assessments' or ‘Statutory Assessments'. Children sit SAT exams throughout their school life at the ages of 7 (Year 2), 11 (Year 6), and 14 (Year 9).

The SATs are designed to help teachers assess pupils' strengths and weaknesses and determine what pupils understand about a subject. Year 6 pupils are assessed in Maths, English and Science.

What are Levels?

Children are awarded a level after the SAT exams. Levels allow comparisons of ability between your child and national standards.

In Year 6, it is expected that children will be attaining Level 4. However, children are all unique and many will score above or below this level. Also children's strengths and weaknesses vary and often children will attain different levels in each subject.

At school, we prepare children for the SATs by revising the work that has been studied throughout Key Stage Two. Much nearer the time, we will introduce the children to the past papers to help them acclimatise to the format of the tests.

How are teacher assessments reached?

Work is formally assessed in all subjects throughout the year, including end of term assessments. Your child will also have completed formal tests during their school career, such as at the end of Key Stage One. These, along with informal judgments of your child's performance in class allow teachers to award your child a level in each subject.

How will I find out the results?

You will receive a sheet with your child's report that will state the test level and teacher assessment. Both of these results are equally as important. The sheet will also detail how the child fairs in comparison to the national and school averages.

What can parents do to help?

Above all remember that it is impossible to ‘fail' an SAT exam. Above all, we must ensure that the children are confident about their ability to do well. Please try to ensure that children live their normal lives, playing and following extra-curricular activities which they enjoy.

School will send home revision guides after the SAT Parent's Evening on January 23rd. Please encourage children to read through these, perhaps asking them to explain to you what they have read. It is particularly beneficial to provide practical opportunities for your child to use their knowledge. For example:

• Ask them to program the video if you have been revising time with them.
• If cooking with your child, ask them to weigh ingredients. They could also identify the reversible and irreversible changes which occur.
• When reading a magazine or information, ask them to comment on they style or layout, discussing what they find most effective.
• Encourage your child to follow up interests and talk about them.
  
• Try to keep up to date with what your child is learning at school and talk regularly about it.
  

Please also visit our links page for some ideas for revision guides.