1. Information for Parents on Key Stage 2 SATs March 2015

2. What does SATs Stand For?  Statutory Assessment Tasks and Tests (also includes Teacher Assessment).  Usually taken at the end of Key Stage 1 (at age 7) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (at age 11). 7 September 2015

3. What level should children be at?  Around 75%+ of children are expected to be 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. 7 September 2015

4. How are the children assessed?  For children working at Level 3 and above, there are two sorts of assessments:  tests  teacher assessments.  For children working below Level 3, the only statutory assessment is teacher assessment and those children do not take the tests. 7 September 2015

5. What does teacher assessment involve and is it different from testing?  Teacher assessment draws together everything the teacher or teachers know about a child, including observations, marked work and school assessments.  Teacher assessment is not a ‘snapshot’ like tests and is therefore more reliable.  There can be a difference between teacher assessment results and test levels.  Teacher assessment only, is used for children who work below level 3. 7 September 2015

6. When do these tests happen?  This year the tests dates will be from the 11 th - 14 th May.  There are one or two tests each day. 7 September 2015

7. 2012201 Timetable 2015 11 th May12 th May13 th May14 th May15 th May Reading Test 1 hour Grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1 45 minutes Mental Maths Test Approximately 20 minutes Maths Test B 45 minutes PARTY IN THE PARK Grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2: Spelling Approximately 15 minutes Maths Test A 45 minutes

8. What do the tests involve? March 2015

9. ENGLISH 7 September 2015

10. Reading Comprehension  The level 3-5 English reading test consists of:  a reading booklet containing around three or four texts, each one slightly harder than the previous one.  a reading answer booklet comprising approximately 35 questions (totalling 50 marks)  Children are given one hour in which to read the texts and answer the questions. They can refer back to the texts in the reading booklet throughout the test. 7 September 2015

11.  The questions are:  shorter, closed response items (such as multiple choice and matching questions); and  longer, more open response types that require children to explain and comment on the texts in order to demonstrate a full understanding.  Questions are worth 1, 2 or 3 marks. 7 September 2015

12. English grammar, punctuation and spelling  This statutory test of English grammar, punctuation and spelling was introduced for children at the end of Key Stage 2 in May 2013.  It includes a punctuation and grammar paper, followed by a spelling test. 7 September 2015

13. Examples Circle all the adverbs in the sentence below. Open the drawers carefully and quietly when using the filing cabinet. Add a suffix to this word to make an adjective. dread ______________ 7 September 2015

14. Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence below. One has been done for you. Although his Mum thought they were very smart, Peter disliked his new trousers. Before he could go swimming, Ali packed his towel. 7 September 2015

15.  The spelling test is administered after a short break and is very similar in style to the homeworks that the children have recently been bringing home. 7 September 2015

16. Writing  As of 2013, there is no longer a writing paper as part of SATS week.  Instead, children’s writing is assessed by means of a writing portfolio. This portfolio is gathered by the teacher over the course of the school year.  It contains 5 pieces of independent, levelled writing. These pieces can be different for each child- showcasing their best work.  Certain portfolios are taken to moderation meetings across the authority to ensure consistency of marking. 7 September 2015

17. MATHS 7 September 2015

18. Maths The level 3-5 mathematics test consists of:  Mental mathematics test – lasting approximately 20 minutes (20 marks)  Paper 1 – lasting 45 minutes (40 marks)  Paper 2 – lasting 45 minutes (40 marks)  Children’s marks from all three tests are aggregated to calculate their overall mathematics level.  Teachers may read questions in both written papers to pupils if asked. 7 September 2015

19. How can parents help?  The best help is showing interest in their learning and progress.  Supporting with homework.  Not putting children under too much pressure.  Ensuring children arrive for tests: -in good time -with a water bottle - having had breakfast -having gone to bed at a reasonable time 7 September 2015