SATS are now called End of Key Stage Tests. These are a series of tests to give a summative assessment of your child’s standards in English (Reading and Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) and Maths. All tests across the country are completed during the week beginning 9 th May. Tests are externally marked.

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 the old National Curriculum levels.

The previous National Curriculum levels have been scrapped and instead children will be given scaled scores. The score needed to reach the national average has yet to be announced. All schools are in the situation – we do not know what this will be.

It is planned that 100 will always 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’ (a score of 100) will be judged to have demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the areas assessed by the tests. In July 2016 for the first publication of test results, each pupil will receive: o A raw score (number of raw marks awarded). o A scaled score in each tested subject. o Confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard.

Teacher assessment draws together everything the 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. All writing is teacher assessed.

Showing interest - ask your child how the test went. Try and keep the week stress free. Encourage your child to do their best. Ensure that your child has a good night sleep. Ensure they have a good breakfast every morning

Ensure that your child feels confident with the type of test they will be taking and types of questions they will be faced with Ensure your child stays relaxed and they are comfortable in their test environment. We will be offering free breakfast for all children between 8 am – 8:30am in the school hall on the days of the tests. We want all the children to know that all we want from them is do their best… that’s all we ask from them!

There will be Easter holiday homework – ten for ten! Next term there will be no project homework. This will be replaced by weekly tasks to help your child revise.

Sample End of Key Stage Tests 2016