A Parent’s Guide to Key Stage Two SATs A Parent’s Guide to Key Stage Two SATs

Aims Understand what our children will be tested on and the format of the tests The role of teacher assessment What the levels mean How parents can help and support their children

When are our children assessed? Reception – Baseline tests KS1 SATs – Year 2 KS2 SATs – Year 6 KS3 assessments

What do SATs show? The idea of the SATs is to show what pupils have learnt and retained during the year. The tests help us to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of what your child understands about a subject.

Can my child fail a SATs test? It is important that Children understand they are not going to 'pass' or 'fail' the test – it will just show what they have learned and what they can do.

What are the children tested on? The children are tested on all of the work they have covered in Key Stage Two in English, Maths and Science.

Preparing for SATs in school… English and Maths Revision lessons. Homework Practice Papers

What form will the tests take? English Reading 1 hour – children will decide how long to spend reading / answering questions Writing Long 45 minutes and short 20 minutes Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling – 45 minutes + 15 minutes Mental Maths 20 minutes Written paper A - 45 minutes Written paper B – 45 minutes – No calculator Science assessment will be teacher assessment

KS2 Timetable May 2015 Monday 11 th May Reading test 15 minutes plus 45 minutes Tuesday 12 th May Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Paper 1 – 45 minutes Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Spelling – 15 minutes Wednesday 13 th May Mental Maths 20 minutes Maths A 45 minutes Thursday 14 th May Maths B 45 minutes Level 6 Maths 2 x 30 minutes Friday 15 th MayWriting Longer Task 45 mins Writing Shorter Task 45 minutes

English Reading  The children have an hour to read 3 pieces of text, and then to answer questions. How they decide to approach this is up to them – this is a change for this year.  The questions range from the literal (who does what, when) to the deductive (where, for example, they have to work out how someone is feeling from what they say).  Your child will be encouraged to say which parts of the text told them the answer.  Pupils often need to back up their ideas with evidence from the text, to fully support their answer.

Writing Children will complete two tests:  The Short Writing Test will last about 20 minutes and children will have to complete a piece of writing in that time.  The Long Writing Test will last about 45 minutes. Children will need to write a longer piece including spending up to 15 minutes planning.  Handwriting is assessed within the longer writing test.

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Children will complete two tests:  The short answer questions, where children have to answer about 40 short questions about grammar, punctuation and spelling  The spelling test – this is run in the same way as SATs spelling is done. The teacher reads out a passage, and the children fill in the missing words.

Mathematics This also involves three papers. The first two cover lots of calculating skills, understanding of shapes, symmetry and reading charts. The first paper has a range of problems from straight sums to practical examples. The second paper has a similar mix of problems, and this year there is a change – no calculators. We expect these questions to be as challenging as they were when the calculators were used, as they were only ever a checking mechanism.

Gaining full marks! In both of these papers, children are encouraged to show how they got an answer, and can get marks for a sensible try at a question even if they get the answer wrong. Children will also be expected to show an understanding of how to use and apply their mathematical knowledge in a variety of ways or 'to think like a mathematician'.

Mental Test The third paper is on mental skills. Children are played a CD of 20 questions, and given either 5, 10 or 15 seconds to answer them on a prepared sheet.

Science The science tests are not statutory and teacher assessment will be used. Pupils will still complete science tests as part of the teacher assessment, but will form part of the science assessment throughout the year.

What is teacher assessment? Teachers are required to summarise their assessment at the end of the key stage, giving a level for each attainment target in English, mathematics and science. They must give an overall subject level in mathematics and science and English.

How well should my child do in these tests? National Curriculum Level Level 8 Level 7 Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3a, 3b, 3c Level 2a, 2b, 2c Level 1 Age 7 Age 11Age 14

What do the levels mean? It is expected that the majority of 11 year old children will achieve Level 4 by the end of Year 6. However, for some children achieving Level 3 is a real success for that particular individual. A child achieving Level 5 is working at a high level.

How can parents help? Don't get carried away - the tests are not an eleven plus. A child does not fail SATs. Encourage children to be confident about their ability to do well. Support your child in working through the revision guides (CGP books). Also check out some on-line learning resources such as the BBC revise wise site to help your child revise. Practice papers over the holidays Eating healthily, sleeping well – these set your child up for the day.

Leaving primary school On leaving primary school, your child will probably move onto bigger schools and the delights of Key Stage 3. If they coped with KS2, they’ll have a good foundation to continue to learn. All children leave clutching a report which says what level they achieved in each of the three core subjects.