1. Information for Parents on Key Stage 2 SATs 14 th January 2014

2. What does SATs Stand For? Statutory Assessment Tasks and Tests (also includes Teacher Assessment). Usually taken at the end of Key Stage 1 (at age 7) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (at age 11). 7 September 2015

3. What level should children be at? Around 75%+ of children are at Level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2. Some children will still be at Level 3 and some children will achieve Level 5 or above. A small percentage of children will not yet be working at Level 3. A small percentage of children may be working at Level 6. 7 September 2015

4. How are the children assessed? For children working at Level 3 and above, there are two sorts of assessments: Tests Teacher assessments. For children working below Level 3, the only statutory assessment is teacher assessment and those children do not take the tests. 7 September 2015

5. When do these tests happen? This year the tests dates will be from the 12 th - 16 th May. It is a busy week for children and staff alike. 7 September 2015

6. What does teacher assessment involve and is it different from testing? Teacher assessment draws together everything the teacher or teachers know about a child, including observations, marked work and school assessments. Teacher assessment is not a ‘snapshot’ like tests and is therefore more reliable. There can be a difference between teacher assessment results and test levels. Teacher assessment only, is used for children who work below level 3. 7 September 2015

7. What do the tests involve? 7 September 2015

8. ENGLISH

9. Reading Comprehension This year the texts in the levels 3-5 English reading booklet will not be linked by a theme. The booklet will contain three or four texts. The least demanding text will come first with the following texts increasing in level of difficulty. Instead of being given 15 minutes reading time and 45 minutes to answer the questions, children will have a total of one hour to read the texts and complete the questions at their own pace. 7 September 2015

10. The reading answer booklet will comprise approximately 35 to 40 questions (totalling 50 marks). The questions are: shorter, closed response items (such as multiple choice and matching questions); shorter, open response items longer, open response items that require children to explain and comment on the texts in order to demonstrate a full understanding. Questions are worth 1, 2 or 3 marks. 7 September 2015

16. Writing Assessments Writing levels, this year, will be assessed using a written test which will be levelled by the class teachers and senior staff, and work produced throughout the year. Pupils’ writing will then be moderated by a group of English subject leaders and County advisers to ensure that the levels reported by the school are an accurate reflection of what children have achieved. 7 September 2015

17. English grammar, punctuation and spelling A new statutory test of English grammar, punctuation and spelling was introduced for children at the end of Key Stage 2 from May 2013. 7 September 2015

18. The level 3-5 test will assess children’s abilities in the following technical aspects of English: grammar; punctuation; spelling; vocabulary; 7 September 2015

19. Examples Circle all the adverbs in the sentence below. Open the drawers carefully and quietly when using the filing cabinet. Add a suffix to this word to make an adjective. dread ______________ 7 September 2015

20. Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence below. One has been done for you. Although his Mum thought they were very smart, Peter disliked his new trousers. Before he could go swimming, Ali packed his towel. 7 September 2015

21. Complete the sentence below with a contraction that makes sense. If you give me the recipe____________ buy the ingredients on the way home. 7 September 2015

22. MATHS

23. This year The levels 3-5 mathematics test consists of: two non-calculator papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, each lasting 45 minutes mental mathematics test, lasting 20 minutes Children’s marks from all three tests are aggregated to calculate their overall mathematics level. Teachers may read questions in both written papers to pupils if asked. 7 September 2015

33. SCIENCE

34. Science sampling tests for children at the end of key stage 2 recommence in June this year on a biennial basis. 7 September 2015

35. How is SATs week organised? A timetable is issued to school, telling us on which days tests must be administered. We can determine at what time tests begin. All children must sit the tests at the same time. Test papers can only be opened 1 hour before the tests begin. Tests are completed in classrooms, with any displays that may help covered over. The LA monitor 10% of schools per year. Children are divided into groups for test administration to ensure they are properly supported and feel secure. 7 September 2015

36. What help can children have? In the reading test, children must read the text and questions by themselves, but MAY have help recording their answers, if this is done in a normal classroom situation. In maths teachers can read questions to any child who asks, some children will have the whole paper read to them, on a one to one. Teachers can encourage, but not guide or say that an answer is correct or incorrect. Some children can be given up to 25% extra time if they have identified learning needs. This has to be applied for in advance. Words on a test paper can be transcribed where a marker may not be able to read a child’s answer. 7 September 2015

37. How can parents help? The best help is interest taken in learning and progress. Attending meetings and parents evenings. Supporting home learning. Not putting children under too much pressure Ensuring children arrive for tests: -in good time -having had breakfast -having gone to bed at a reasonable time 7 September 2015

38. CGP Study Books for reading, writing and maths. 7 September 2015 http://www.satstestsonline.co.uk/sto_past_papers.aspx

39. 2014 Test Timetable 12 th May13 th May14 th May15 th May16 th May Reading Test 1 hour English grammar, punctuation and spelling test Mental Maths Test 20 minutes Maths Test B 45 minutes Maths Test A 45 minutes Level 6 Reading Level 6 SPAGLevel 6 Maths papers 1 & 2 7 September 2015