2. End of Key Stage Assessment Tests Year 6 SATs

3. Outline of this presentation 1. Share curriculum map. 2. Explain the new arrangements for testing. 3. Explain the timetable for the week. 4. Show some examples of questions. 5. Tips to help the children.

5. In the summer term of 2016, children in Year 6 will be the first to take the new SATs papers. These tests in English and Maths will reflect the new National Curriculum and are intended to be more rigorous. There will also be a completely new marking scheme to replace last year’s levels system. At the end of Year 6, children will sit tests in: Reading Maths Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar The whole country (state schools) sit the tests on the same days. These tests will be both set and marked externally, and the results will be used to measure the school’s performance. The marks will also be passed on to your child’s secondary school in conjunction with teacher assessment. We do not see the papers until we open them in front of the children on the morning of the test. We have strict rules concerning the storage, administration and returning of the test scripts.

6. Timetable Monday 9 th May: English Reading Tests Tuesday 10 th May: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Tests Wednesday 11 th May: Arithmetic Paper + Mathematics Reasoning Paper 1 Thursday 12 th May: Mathematics Reasoning Paper 2

7. Maths Arithmetic Paper (30 mins) Reasoning Paper 1 (40 mins) Reasoning Paper 2 (40 mins)

8. Arithmetic questions

9. Reasoningquestions

11. Reading: Reading Comprehension (one hour). Spelling, Punctuation and grammar (SPAG): Paper 1: 45 minutes to answer 40-50 questions assessing grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. Paper 2: Spelling task consists of 20 sentences which are read aloud by the teacher. Each sentence has a missing word for the child to complete. Writing: There is no longer a written test which is sent away. Writing is now assessed by the teachers in school. This can be externally moderated. Literacy

12. The reading comprehension paper tests much more than their ability to decode words and understand a story. The reading matter is usually a mixture of narrative, poetry and non-fiction. Questions may involve: Finding information Reading between the lines Finding contrasts and commenting on them Giving examples of word choice for effect and explaining their effectiveness Commenting on author’s viewpoint and choice of words Recognising the features of different text types and being able to comment on them

17. Arrangements for the assessment of writing have changed in the last two years. We no longer have to give the children a writing test, but we assess their writing across the year. We are already assessing their writing now. At the end of the year, we will make a judgement for each child based on a range of their writing tasks. Each year, there is a chance that a sample of Year 6 work will be externally assessed by Hertfordshire County Council.

18. Science The following information is copied from the DfE site. This information was last updated in November 2015. Biennial science sampling tests for pupils at the end of KS2 will take place in June 2016. The tests will not be taken by whole cohorts. Instead, a sample of approximately 9,500 pupils will be randomly selected, based on five pupils from 1,900 schools. In addition, of the 1,900 schools selected, a sample will be selected to participate in the pre- test trialling of the 2018 science sampling tests. Five additional pupils from each school will take these tests.

19. What can I do to help before SATs week? -Encourage and support your child in the completion of homework. -Make sure your child reads regularly and ask them question about what they have read. -Help your child to learn their times tables and spelling rules. -Encourage and support the children in writing for a purpose. -Ensure your child attends school and does not have any unnecessary days off.

20. What can I do to help during SATs week? -Ensure your child has plenty of sleep. -Make sure you give them a good breakfast; they will need the energy. -Get them to school on time so they are not rushed or worried. -Keep their normal routines; e.g. attendance at clubs.

21. What do we do to help? -Familiarise the children with timed tasks. -Familiarise the children with test questions in varied formats so that there shouldn’t be any shocks. -Share strategies for answering questions. -Support in smaller “booster” groups for a range of different needs. -Some revision sessions nearer the time. -Occasionally give out extra home learning (homework books!)

22. And finally…. To get the tests into perspective: They are important and it is a good opportunity to consolidate and put to the test all the skills they have learnt so far. BUT There is no need for children (or their parents) to worry about the tests. Children can only do their best. They will be given plenty of opportunity to practise for the tests in school. Carrying on with their normal extra curricular activities will generally be good for them.