The theme of this half term’s learning is ‘Curbar and Calver during World War II’. Please find your child’s latest class newsletter detailing their learning for the upcoming half term by clicking on the link below:
Your child will be taking their end of key stage SATs the week beginning 8 May 2017. We hope the information below will help you understand your child’s SATs tests in a little more detail.
What are SAT’s?
SATs (Standard Attainment Tests) take place at the end of year 6 and are designed to test pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the key stage 2 programme of study. All year 6 children across the country are tested in English and Maths and this gives the government a clear picture of what standards look like. It also helps parents compare their child’s progress with children of the same agenationally. This is the second year that a year 6 cohort has been tested on the new curriculum that was introduced in September 2014. Consequently, the testing process has been changed to previous years to account for this.
What will my child have to do?
Monday 8 May: Reading test (60 minutes)
Tuesday 8 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (SPAG)
Paper 1 – short answers (45 minutes)
Paper 2 – spelling (15 minutes)
Wednesday 10 May: Maths tests
Paper 1 – arithmetic (30 minutes)
Paper 2 – reasoning (40 minutes)
Thursday 11 May: Maths tests
Paper 3 – reasoning (40 minutes)
What happens to the tests?
Tests are sent for external marking. Schools usually receive the results in July. Parents will be given a copy of their child’s test results and teacher assessments. The results of the school are used toinform school ‘performance tables’.
What do the results mean?
It is important to understand that children cannot ‘fail’ SATs. The information is used as a snapshot of where children across the country are currently working. Since the removal of the ‘old’ levels, the government has had to think of a new way of measuring attainment. From 2016 onwards, the raw score from each test will be converted into a scaled score and each child will receive an overall result indicating whether or not they have achieved the required standard on the test.
What is meant by ‘scaled scores’?
It is planned that 100 will represent the ‘national standard’. Each pupil’s raw test score will therefore be converted into a score on the scale, either at, above or below 100. The scale will have a lower end point somewhere below 100 and an upper end point above 100. A child who achieves the ‘national standard’ will be judged to have demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the areas assessed by the tests.
In July 2017 for publication of test results, each pupil will receive:
A raw score (number of raw marks awarded).
A scaled score in each tested subject.
Confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard. In year 6, it is only natural that your child might feel a little nervous or apprehensive about what the week will hold – so there are a few things that you can do to help them at home.
How can I help them at home?
Support your child in helping prepare them for the tests – but don’t overdo it.
Explain that SATs are a way of showing off what they can do – and they cannot fail.
Make any learning as fun as possible.
Give your child the opportunity to talk about any concerns.
Help them with any revision homework in the run up to SATs.
Encourage them to be confident in their ability – they have been working hard in school.
Do something fun the weekend before the SATs tests to take their mind off them. Don’t overdo the revision or practice this weekend – it is important your child feels fresh and ready to tackle the tests on Monday morning.
Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep before each test.
Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast each morning.
Send your child to school with some healthy snacks to have in between or after the tests.
In the evenings of SATs week, keep any work you do at home short.
Make sure your child is in school every day of SATs week. If they are feeling unwell it is important that they still come to school and try to do the test. If you are concerned that your child is feeling unwell during this week, please contact school as early as possible.
Make sure your child is in school on time every day – the tests start first thing in the morning.
In school, we feel that we will support the children for them to achieve the very best results that they can. We have every confidence in them!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely
Mr Beahan and Miss Gregory
Please find attached the presentation from the parents meeting from April 2017 and the information booklet that accompanied the meeting:
