Springvale Primary School Key Stage 1 SATs May 2019

How we administer the tests It is very low key – we don’t refer to them as ‘tests’ or ‘SATs’. We endeavour to remove all pressure from the children. Throughout the month of May 2019. In large, small or 1:1 groups according to the individual children. We can stagger, break up the tests in smaller chunks with breaks. We use our classroom or the library. We can stop the tests at any point. The children will be working alongside familiar adults.

What are the ‘tests’? Reading – split into 2 papers Paper 1 has the text and questions on the same sheet. Paper 2 has a longer text booklet and a separate question booklet. Maths – split into 2 papers Arithmetic – a series of questions using all 4 calculations and fractions. Reasoning – this paper has worded problems for the children to work through, show their jottings and find the answer. The SPAG test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) is optional for schools.

What is a ‘scaled score’? Each child will have a ‘raw score’ from the papers, depending on how many questions they answer correctly. This ‘raw score’ will then be converted into a ‘scaled score’. School’s will receive the conversion after SATs. If a child has a ‘scaled score’ of 100 they are working at the expected standard for Year 2. If a child’s score is close to the maximum of 120, they are working above the expected standard. If a child’s score is closer to the minimum of 80, they are working below the expected standard.

Are there any differences between 2018 standards and 2019? The reading and maths standards have been ‘tweaked’ this year. The writing standards were amended in 2018. Writing is assessed as an on-going routine throughout the whole school. Assessments are made against a range of recent pieces of writing for each child. To ensure that standards are similar between schools, we participate in regular moderation activities and events.

Will I know my child’s score? We will inform parents of their child’s scaled scores as part of their end of year report. In Key Stage 2, the reading, maths and SPAG SATs are based entirely upon the test. However, in Key Stage 1 we can also use teacher assessment to judge the child’s attainment, as well as the tests.

How can I help my child at home? Daily reading and asking questions – especially ‘Why?’ ‘How?’ - discuss word meanings and alternatives Times tables knowledge and counting in patterns of 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s forwards and backwards. Spellings of common words and also spelling patterns. Lots of praise and encouragement! They work incredibly hard at school.

Any questions? Examples of ‘test’ papers to look at. Examples of the ‘expected standards’ to look at.