For 2016, a new set of KS1 national curriculum tests replaces the previous tests and tasks . Schools should no longer use the test materials from 2007 or 2009 as these relate to the old national curriculum.

Tests will take place during May but will be timetabled at the school’s discretion. As in previous years, these tests (quizzes) will be kept as low key as possible.

What is available for us to support the test? Sample tests for: Reading Spelling and grammar Mental Arithmetic Mathematical reasoning Statutory spellings for Year 2

The new tests consist of: English reading Paper 1: combined reading prompt and answer booklet English reading Paper 2: reading booklet and reading answer booklet English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: spelling – non compulsory for 2017 English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2: questions – non compulsory for 2017 Mathematics Paper 1: arithmetic Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning There is no longer a test for English writing.

Sample materials can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-2016-sample-materials

Paper 1 English Reading Test 30 minutes – a selection of texts 400-700 words. Timings are approximately but will not vary greatly.

Paper 1 400-700 words for the children to read. The questions are included.

Paper 2 800 -1100 words for the children to read. Their answers go in a separate booklet.

English grammar, punctuation and spelling test: Completely new for Year 2 children. Not compulsory for 2017

The grammar and punctuation paper.

Assessment of Writing There will not be any test-based assessment of writing as part of the KS1 tests. This will be done entirely through teacher assessment. As with KS2, the KS1 teachers have been continually assessing children’s writing over a range of different subjects.

Interim assessment guidance

Mathematics: paper 1 arithmetic (20 minutes) Mathematics: paper 2 reasoning (35 minutes) The tests are not strictly timed.

Mental arithmetic paper.

Mathematical reasoning.

How are we introducing the tests? Every writing session we go through a grammar question. All Year 2 children are receiving a daily 20 minute grammar, spelling and punctuation teaching session. In maths, the children are already accessing the sample test materials. As the children are not going to be able to use equipment to support their mathematical calculations we are encouraging them to draw pictures to help solve the problems.

From 2016, scaled scores will be used to report national curriculum test outcomes. Scaled scores help test results to be reported consistently from one year to the next. National curriculum tests are designed to be as similar as possible year on year, but slight differences in difficulty will occur between years. Scaled scores maintain their meaning over time so that two pupils achieving the same scaled score in different years will have demonstrated the same attainment. For the KS1 tests a scaled score of 100 will always represent the ‘expected standard’. A pupil’s scaled score will be based on their raw score. The raw score is the total number of marks a pupil receives in a test, based on the number of questions they answered correctly. The pupil’s raw score will be translated into a scaled score using a conversion table. For 2016 KS1 tests, conversion tables will be published on GOV.UK at the beginning of June 2016. Teachers will need to use these to translate pupils’ raw scores into scaled scores to see whether each pupil has met the expected standard.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, please come along to Owl class and we will do our best to answer them.

What can you do to help? Encourage your child to read regularly and talk about the text they are reading or have read. Help them to learn their spellings. Practise times tables (2, 5 and 10s as a minimum). Take every opportunity to help your child practise the four operations – i.e. when shopping, when cooking etc.

SATs week Week commencing 8th May 2017 Monday English reading test Tuesday English grammar, punctuation and spelling test Wednesday Mathematics Paper 1 arithmetic test Mathematics Paper 2 reasoning test Thursday Mathematics Paper 3 reasoning test Friday No tests – Yay!

English Reading Comprehension (1 hour to read 3 graded texts and answer questions) Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary (45 minutes) and spelling test (approx 15 minutes) Writing composition assessed through continuous teacher assessment

Past assessments http://www.satspapers.org/ http://wwwsats-papers.co.uk

English, grammar, punctuation and spelling test First time in 2013 Example questions

Writing assessment Since the beginning of the year, we have been keeping a record of our continual assessment of the children’s writing, both with completely independent writing and with partially supported writing. This assessment includes aspects of: Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation; Transcription (Spelling and Handwriting); Composition (Organisation and Purpose) There is no set assessed writing task in 2017.

Mathematics Mathematics: paper 1 arithmetic (30 minutes) Mathematics: paper 2 reasoning (40 minutes) Mathematics: paper 3 reasoning (40 minutes)

Reporting test outcomes From 2016, scaled scores will be used to report national curriculum test outcomes. For the KS2 tests a scaled score of 100 will represent the ‘expected standard’. STA will publish test results and conversion tables on the NCA tools website early in July 2017. Parents will be informed via an additional sheet sent home in July (with the report) and there will be an opportunity to discuss this with the teacher.

Reporting test outcomes Each pupil registered for the tests will receive: a raw score (the number of marks awarded) a scaled score and confirmation of whether or not they attained the expected standard

Revision? Revision guides Regular reading at home Tables & number bonds Practise known and unknown spellings Regular class homework But please make sure your child enjoys their normal social life as well!