Information for Parents Year 6 SATs January 2012

Why do we do SATs? All children in DBS complete SATs at the end of Year 6. They assess our student’s achievement against a National Average. They show how much progress they have made at DBS. It is a chance for our students to demonstrate what they can do, and prove what they have learnt.

Explaining the SATs Levels Level 3: Below the nationally expected level for a pupil at the end of Year 6. Level 4b: The nationally expected level for a pupil at the end of Year 6. Level 5: Above the nationally expected level for a pupil at the end of Year 6. At school, we also use sub-levels as a, b or c (a being the highest). e.g. A level 4c is a low level 4, a 4b is a secure level 4 and a 4a is a high level 4.

The Literacy Tests Reading- 50 marks Short Writing- 12 marks Long Writing- 28 marks Spelling- 7 marks Handwriting- 3 marks Separate levels for Reading and Writing are awarded, along with an overall level for Literacy

Writing The Genre of writing to be tested is not known by the school prior to the test. The tasks could require the children to write any of the following… Instructions Persuasive text Discussion text Recount Report Explanation Play script Poetry Narrative texts (a story, or based on any of the above formats)

Writing

Reading Some questions will ask the children to find answers directly from the reading booklets they are given. These questions are usually worth 1 mark.

Reading Others will require the children to deduce answers by using words or phrases as evidence. These questions are usually worth 2 marks.

Reading Some questions will ask the children to evaluate what they have read, again using the text to back up their answers. These questions are usually worth 3 marks.

Spelling The spelling test carries a possible 7 marks. The spelling words are tested within the context of a passage of text. As the passage is read out to the children, they fill in the correct spellings on their copy of the text.

Maths Tests There are three tests:-   The mental maths test (20%)   Paper A - no calculator allowed (40%)   Paper B - calculator allowed (40%)

Maths Tests The tests cover Levels 3-5 The first questions in the paper are generally Level 3 questions, moving on to Level 4, with the more challenging questions at the end of the papers targeted at Level 5.

Maths Tests Equipment allowed in each test: No equipment allowed in the mental test. Pencil only. Children are allowed a pencil, ruler, tracing paper, protractor and mirror for Papers A and B, and a calculator for Paper B. They may not need to use all of these.

Mental test

Maths Tests Some examples of past papers showing the types of question the children are expected to answer at each level

Maths Tests

Test schedule example Sunday 27th May Monday 28th May Tuesday 29 th May Wednesday 30 th May Thursday 31st May Reading Test 45 minutes (plus 15 minutes reading time) Writing Test (Short) 20 minutes Spelling test 10 minutes Maths 20 minutes Mental Test 20 minutes Maths Test B 45 minutes Writing Test (Long) 45 minutes Maths Test A 45 minutes

What DBS are doing: In addition to their general day to day activities DBS will: In addition to their general day to day activities DBS will: Devote more classroom time to writing, reading and maths for a targeted period leading up to the SATs. Provide extra curricular booster sessions in writing, reading & maths. Use our teaching assistants to help address individual children’s areas of need leading up to the SATs.

How you can support your child at home: Sensible bedtime. Provide them with a healthy balance. Give them time to relax and play. Healthy diet – eat breakfast. Drink plenty of water at home and at school. Encourage your child positively, without putting too much pressure on him/her. Celebrate your child’s successes to date.

Revision Websites This is an excellent site, providing revision help for KS2, KS3, KS 4 and KS5. This covers all subjects through activities and tests. This is an excellent site, providing revision help for KS2, KS3, KS 4 and KS5. This covers all subjects through activities and tests. A wide range of KS2 SATs questions, from both past papers and their own team of teachers. A wide range of KS2 SATs questions, from both past papers and their own team of teachers. Revision pages at Woodlands Junior School. These revision pages support the work they do at Woodlands Junior School. They have been put together for their students to help them with their revision. Included are some sample questions taken from past Key Stage 2 SATs papers, as well as a whole host of interactive tests/quizzes. Revision pages at Woodlands Junior School. These revision pages support the work they do at Woodlands Junior School. They have been put together for their students to help them with their revision. Included are some sample questions taken from past Key Stage 2 SATs papers, as well as a whole host of interactive tests/quizzes. Booster maths games for children to look at the major topics. Booster maths games for children to look at the major topics. Not just for homework. This includes some excellent games, activities and help for maths.