1. Year 6 SAT’s Parents Meeting 18 th March 2015

2. SATs Week Beginning Monday 11th May During this week pupils in Year 6 in the final stage of KS2 will sit National Curriculum tests in the core subjects English and Maths. There will be no KS2 Science sampling in 2015. The Standards & Testing Agency (on behalf of the Department for Education) regulates the national curriculum assessments to ensure that standards are maintained and assessments are fair and effective.

3. What are they designed to test? Key Stage 2 tests are designed to test pupils’ KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING of specific elements of the key stage 2 programmes of study. They provide a snapshot of pupils’ attainment at the end of the key stage. Pupils take tests in: English Maths

4. The English & Maths tests: There are two English tests: A reading test A writing test made up of two components assessing grammar, punctuation and vocabulary; and spelling. Writing composition will be subject to teacher assessment. There are three Maths tests: Paper 1 (a non-calculator paper) Paper 2 (also a non-calculator paper) Mental maths paper.

5. Level 6 Tests Some pupils will be entered for Level 6 Tests in English and Maths, in addition to the Level 3 – 5 papers. In English this includes: A reading paper A grammar, punctuation and spelling paper, with an extended written task In Maths this includes: Paper 1 (a non-calculator paper) Paper 2 (a calculator paper) Level 6 Tests will take place in the afternoon of the Level 3 - 5 tests.

6. Test Dates:

7. How is SATs week organised? We can determine at what time tests begin. All children must sit the tests at the same time. Test papers can only be opened 1 hour before the tests begin. Tests are completed in the hall, with any displays that may help covered over. The LA monitor 10% of schools per year. Breakfast will be provided every morning. Afternoons will provide opportunity for independent revision.

8. BOOSTER CLASSES Booster classes will continue up until SAT’s week. Invitation letters to attend these classes have been sent out informing parents & pupils when and where they are taking place. Pupils who have been invited are those considered to be borderline L2/3, L3/4, L4/5 or L5/6. We hope that if your child has been offered this opportunity that you will accept it. We have found booster classes in previous years to be successful. Pupils are provided with light refreshments.

9. Test Results: Results are received by the school at the beginning of July. Parents and pupils are duly informed. Papers are returned to schools for staff to scrutinise. If it is felt necessary, appeals may be made.

10. Appeals Upheld Any pupils who have appeals made that are successful are told at the start of the new school year in September. All pupils have Teacher Assessments recorded as well as their KS2 test results. Parents are informed about these along with their SATs results by the end of the summer term.

11. What level should children be at? Children should be working at Level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2. Some children will still be at Level 3 and some children will achieve Level 5 or above. A small percentage of children will not yet be working at Level 3.

12. THE KEY STAGE 2 ENGLISH SAT: What does it comprise ? A reading test. A grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test. A spelling test.

13. HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO DO EACH PAPER? THE READING PAPER – 1 hour to read and answer questions on a variety of texts.

14. HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO DO EACH PAPER? THE GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION AND VOCABULARY PAPER – 45 minutes to complete the test.

15. HOW LONG DO THEY HAVE TO DO EACH PAPER? The spelling test – Around 15 minutes (not strictly timed). Pupils listen to 20 target words within 20 separate sentences.

16. HOW PARENTS CAN HELP Help with learning spellings – looking for patterns and rules. Encourage children to read: (novels and a variety of forms - leaflets, recipes, instructions, etc.), asking questions to check understanding. If relevant, try to ensure good attendance in booster lessons. Support them through looking at their writing in terms of grammar, punctuation and varied vocabulary. Other resources: Revisewise website – BBC. CPG revision books. Easter holiday homework tasks very important.

17. Outline of Maths Tests: Paper 1 – non calculator (40) 45 minutes Paper 2 – non calculator (40) 45 minutes Mental Arithmetic (20) 20 minutes

22. How can I help? Basics – tables, place value, 4 rules, estimating answers, maths vocabulary, problem solving Encourage careful reading of questions and checking of answers in homework. Booster classes – for those children whom we feel need a little extra help to achieve the next level. Revisewise website – BBC, CPG revision books, Maths games. Easter holiday homework very important Go through past practice SATs papers: obtainable from: www.emaths.co.uk/index.php/4-students/past-papers/ks2-sat-papers

23. And finally… Get the tests into perspective: They are important and it is a good opportunity to consolidate and put to the test all the skills they have learnt so far. BUT There is no need for children (or their parents) to worry about the tests. Children can only do their best. They will be given plenty of opportunity to practise for the tests in school.