What are the SATs tests?

1. What are the SATs tests? The SATs tests are statutory tests taken by pupils at the end of a key stage. The tests are designed to test pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the key stage 1 and 2 programmes of study.

2. SATs in Year Six All children in their final year of Key Stage Two and who are working at level 3 or above must take the tests. Children are tested in Mathematics and English only. The tests are administered by the class teacher in exam conditions.

3. Any child missing one of the papers will get no mark for the entire subject.

4. Results in Year Six • The tests are sent to external markers. • Results arrive into school at the beginning of July. • Children will be given a level from 3 to 5. • Level 3 – children are working below average for their age group • Level 4 – national average • Level 5 – above average • Parents will receive children’s results along with their child’s end of year school report. • It will also include a teacher assessment level of how the child has performed throughout the year. • Included in this will be comparative information about the attainments • in the core subjects of pupils of the same age in this school and nationally. • The results are also passed on to the child’s secondary school and published in the school’s league tables.

5. What can you do to help? • Children need to be prepared in advance • Revision of key facts • Healthy eating • Good sleep patterns • Doing homework activities • Read every night • Encourage positive use of Internet activities

6. Suggested websites suitable for children http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/http://www.buzzin.net/index.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/ http://www.channel4learning.net/sites/essentials/science/index.shtml http://www.legend.yorks.com/~calverms/contents.htm http://sciencelessons.digitalbrain.com/digitalbrain/web/subjects/1.%20primary/ks2sci/?verb=view http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx?s=maths&a=ks2 http://www.scienceyear.com/wired/index.html?page=/wired/games/index.html http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/booster_sea/index.htm http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/millionscience.html http://www.teachingtreasures.com.au/maths/year_6_maths_true_or_false.htm http://www.yourschoolsite.co.uk/tests/Maths%20tests.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise http://www.mathszone.co.uk http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/subjects http://www.subtangent.com http://www.aaamath.com http://www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk http://www.funbrain.com http://www.funschool.kaboose.com http://www.channel4.com/apps26/learning/microsites http://ambleweb.digitalbrain.com (resources)

7. VTLE • Virtual Teaching and Learning Environment • A protected website for children to share work and online activities • Communication between children and teachers • Secure, safe – keep details private • http://www.newcastlevtle.org/

8. Applications for Secondary School • www.newcastle.gov.uk/admissions • Deadline: Midnight Friday 31st October 2010 • Return completed forms to Civic Centre –Apply directly to Emmanuel and Public schools eg Dame Allen’s, Central Newcastle High School… • Select 4 separate schools • Use your child’s legal name for the form • Catholic school applications – 10% non-Catholics are included • Prioritising of places is based on individual school’s policy: siblings, address, feeder schools… • Our main secondary school – Excelsior Academy • Changes – 4 separate schools in one, one sixth form college, 375 children in each school – vocational focus in each school: Business and Economics, Design, Construction and the Environment, Creative and Performing Arts and Health Related Studies • Help and support can be provided to complete forms • Questions