1. Miss J Parker

2.  S – Statutory  A - Assessment  T - Tests End of Key Stage measure of attainment and pupil progress. KS1 - Year 2, KS2 – Year 6,

3.  English – reading, writing, spelling and grammar and punctuation  Mathematics 2 x written papers and mental arithmetic

4.  The tests cover Levels 3-5. Pupils working below the level of the tests are teacher assessed.  Expected attainment for a pupil at the end of Year 6 is Level 4.  However, some children exceed this and achieve Level 5 and other children achieve Level 3.  A small minority of children will sit Level 6 tests – a single level test. School to advise of this.  Pupils are expected to make 2 whole levels progress from Year 2 to Year 6. E.g.1-3, 2-4, 3-5.

6. 1. sharp 11. ravenously 2. whiskers 12. approached 3. surveyed 13. cautiously 4. lying 14. bristling 5. rigid 15. sensible 6. intruder 16. height 7. scattered 17. corridor 8. enough 18. proud 9. females 19. straightened 10. doubt 20. voice

7.  Dear Diary... A brother and sister went on a day out with their family. Tom really enjoyed the outing, but Sara did not. When they returned home, Tom and Sara wrote about the day in their diaries. Use your imagination to decide what Tom and Sara would write in their diaries. Your task is to write Tom and Sara’s diary entries.

8.  SPAG test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar)  Teacher Assessed Writing  Reading Test  Level 6 writing assessment  Level 6 Reading Test To see examples at home google : level 3-5 SPAG test or level 6 SPAG test or see Mrs Johnson or myself.

10.  20 timed questions – children get a mark out of 20 for this which is added to their total score and contributes to a level being awarded. Good way to raise level.  5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds  Lots of experience, parents can support by calling these out to children at home in preparation  Google : St Joseph’s Pickering for past papers for all subjects including Maths

11.  Paper A – 45 mins non calculator test  Paper B – 45 mins calculator test  Level 6 Paper A and B 30 mins per paper (no MA)  Google: Level 6 Maths KS2 – choose emaths website

12. Timetable accessible at http://www.naa.org.uk/naa_20218.aspx

13.  The tests will take place in a number of rooms, according to the individual pupil’s needs.  Children are encouraged to visit the toilet and ensure they are well hydrated and comfortable before the test.  Tests will be invigilated by Miss Parker and Mrs Hollyoak who the children feel happy and secure with. (Mrs Johnson will be leading the Y5 test week)  Tests are kept securely in a locked cupboard until test day. Miss Parker opens the test seconds before the test is scheduled to begin.  Children are allowed to ask for questions to be read aloud to them (with the exception of the reading test).  Staff may only read the question – children are not allowed any help with spelling or to ask for clarification.  Children have the start and end time for each test displayed and are given reminders at timed intervals which they are used to as part of our test preparation sessions.

14.  Once the test has finished, the test scripts are collected in silence and handed to Miss Parker who then packages them up and seals them immediately for collection by Parcel force. Tests are sent all over the country to be marked by trained SATs markers.  During test week, the afternoon sessions (apart from where children are completing Level 6 papers) will be used for children to go over anything they may be anxious about for the following day. However, primarily children will have opportunity to take part in lessons where other skills are required such as PE, Art, History etc.

15.  Tests come into school on various days throughout July. As they arrive in school the data is collated and analysed and entered onto the school assessment package.  Where a test has a borderline mark, Miss Parker will then go through the script to check marking.  Parents will be informed of test results on receipt of their child’s end of year school report.  Pupil’s test results are then transferred electronically to the appropriate Secondary school.  Children will be told their results at an appropriate time prior to the school report going home. All results are handled sensitively and privately.  These results are then shared with the DCSF and the LEA.

16.  Throughout the year your child will have accumulated evidence to support a teacher assessment judgement of their ability in all subjects including Writing specifically.  This evidence is equally used by DCSF, LEA and Secondary schools to see how your child would perform over time as opposed to in a one off test.  Where a child significantly underperforms in a test we will speak to the Secondary School and advise them of the child’s ability as evidenced over the term.

17.  Your child may wish to do some revision at home and this should be encouraged to enable your child to feel as confident as possible going into their tests.  However, the best idea is little and often. Where possible children should be able to use ICT, games etc to help them revise to make it a little bit more exciting.  This term Literacy is taught 5 mornings a week in a split Y6 group led by Mrs Hollyoak and Miss Parker.  Spring Term Booster in Maths after half term through until May.

18.  Books to be loaned out from school.  ICT resources – (anyone without access speak to Mrs Johnson or Miss Parker to arrange access at school)  Google – Woodlands Junior Y6 SATS revision - KS2 BBC BiteSize - literacy bootcamp Many more, please advise school if you find a really good one.

19.  Attendance - ensure your child is in school as much as possible.  Regular and appropriate bedtimes.  Revision balanced with breaks and physical activity.  Let school know as early as possible if your child is ill during test week and if any special arrangements need to be made.  Communicate if there has been any upheaval or upset at home that may affect the pupil’s access/performance in the test.  Promote the tests as positive – a chance to show off the hard work they have done in KS2.  Ensure your child has breakfast and a bottle of water and a healthy snack in test week.

20. TIP 1 Remember your child's education is a partnership. Meet with teachers and see how they believe you can help. TIP 2 Approach a subject from lots of different angles. Software, games, activities, books, flash cards, practical applications all help. TIP 3 Look through a practice paper together and talk through the answers, try drawing or acting out answers of difficult concepts such as fractions. TIP 4 Explain that the number of marks gives your child an idea of how much time to spend on each question. TIP 5 Make sure your child is aware that getting stuck is not a problem, move on and if they have time come back to the hard ones at the end. TIP 6 Encourage your child to believe in themselves, "you can do it!" TIP 7 Remind your child that the tests are important, but that the are not the only way they are to be measured. TIP 8 Do not put your child under too much pressure. Have fun, they will find things easier to remember if they remember the good times they had learning.

21. Whilst we do encourage your children to take these tests seriously and use them to show off all that they are capable of, it is important to remember that all the children in Year 6 are special and unique irrespective of a test. The value and worth of each child cannot be quantified by a test level and nor should it. Thank you for taking the time to find out more. If there is something you feel we could support your child with more, please do not hesitate to contact me.