1. Welcome to Year 6 SATs meeting Brindle St James’ CE Primary School

2. The SATs Tests

3. What level should children be at? Around 75% of children are 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. A small percentage of children will not yet be working at Level 3.

4. How are the children assessed? For children working at Level 3 and above there are two sorts of assessments: tests teacher assessments

5. When do these tests happen? 2009 it is the week beginning 11th May. All tests take place in that week. Children may not take them earlier or later. Usually there are two tests per day and it is a busy week for children and staff alike.

6. Timetable for the week Monday 11 th May 2009 Science paper A Science paper B Tuesday 12 th May 2009 Short Writing Spelling Long Writing Wednesday 13 th May 2009Reading comprehension Thursday 14 th May 2009 Mental maths Maths non-calculator paper Friday 15 th May 2009Maths calculator paper

7. Why are SATS are important? The skills required to do well at SATS are important life skills. SATS provide a good basis for assessing children’s skills. Provide a good basis for transition as skills development will be ongoing at secondary.

8. The Maths Test Mental Maths Requires rapid recall of facts. 20 questions which the children hear on CD. Each question is read twice. They involve a range of skills, not just ‘numbers.’ Working out time is 5, 10 or 15 seconds. The test is worth 20% of the overall subject mark.

9. Test A In this 45 minute written paper, 40% of overall mark. Calculators are not allowed. Some questions are worth one mark and therefore accuracy is important. Other questions are worth two marks and even if the answer is wrong, a mark may be given for correct working. Increasing emphasis on being able to use and apply maths. Teachers may read questions in both written papers to pupils if asked. The Maths Test cont.

10. Test B Also 45 minutes 40% of overall mark. This paper is similar to Paper A but there are ‘bigger’ numbers and a calculator is allowed (and needed). Calculators will given out which are familiar to the children. Again teachers may read questions in both written papers to pupils if asked. See school website for prompt sheets to help you support your child: www.st-james12.lancsngfl.ac.uk Past papers can be downloaded from: www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT.htm The Maths Test cont.

11. The English Test The Writing Test: 50% of total mark 2 pieces: Short (20 mins) 12 marks Long (45 mins) 28 marks Handwriting:3 marks only Spelling:7 marks. Need to demonstrate good quality writing (NOT JUST HANDWRITING!) across both pieces. Can be asked to write within any genre.

12. English Test cont… The Reading Test: 50% of overall mark Can include fiction and non fiction, poetry. A whole range of questions. Some of which require deduction and inference. It is NOT a memory test. Past papers can be downloaded from: www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT.htm

13. The Science Test Paper A and B (45 minutes for each) Both paper equal weighting and similar difficulty level. Questions are topic based. Children need to revise all areas. Increasing focus on applying the facts in scientific enquiry. Scientific vocabulary is very important. Science is NOT a reading test –children will get help. Each paper has 40 marks – 80 marks in total. Past papers can be downloaded from: www.emaths.co.uk/KS2SAT.htm

14. What help can children have? In the reading test, children must read the text and questions by themselves. In maths and science teachers can read questions to any child who asks. Some children will have the whole paper read to them, on a one to one basis. Teachers can encourage, but not guide or say that an answer is correct or incorrect. Some children can be given up to 25% extra time if they have identified learning needs. This is organised in advance. Words on a test paper can be transcribed where a marker may not be able to read a child’s answer.

15. Teacher Assessment Teacher assessment draws together everything the 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.

16. Preparation for SATS in school Build on optional SATS in Years 3, 4 and 5. We have done and will do more past practice papers. Literacy Booster session – Friday. Daily Year 6 only literacy and numeracy revision lessons until end of term. SATS revision drop in sessions are available any break time or after school. Homework.

17. How to help at home Offer a wide range of experiences. Lots of talking; ask children to describe, justify choices, explain, discuss. Encourage children to listen to Standard English. Encourage children to question. Encourage children to use correct vocabulary. Encourage children to use maths and to write in everyday situations. TABLES, TABLES, TABLES!!!! Encourage children to become independent. Particularly with thinking and organisation. Don’t miss school – everyday is now vital. Arrive in good time, after a good breakfast and an early night!! Revision…….

18. What happens next? Test papers are sent to external markers after the tests and arrive back in school early in July. Schools then check the results and papers to ensure there are no errors. Sometimes papers are sent for re-marking. Schools must inform parents of SATs results by the end of the school year in July. Parents receive test and teacher assessment levels for English, Maths and Science. Parents are given the overall school results as a percentage. These are compared to the previous year’s national figures. High schools are sent Key Stage 2 test and teacher assessment results. They use these, and the CAT test they do at the start of term, to set children.

19. Final thoughts… Commercial revision products are available. BUT a balance is very important SATS are only one part of school life. Children with outside activities have more experiences to draw on. Children need time to be children and to rest. We are always here to help!