A Parent’s Guide to Key Stage Two SATs

1. A Parent’s Guide to Key Stage Two SATs

2. Aims • Understand what our children will be tested on and the format of the tests. • The role of Teacher Assessment. • What the levels mean. • How parents can help and support their children.

3. When are our children assessed at Heathlands? • Foundation Stage Profile • KS1 SATs – Year 2 • KS2 SATs – Year 6 Assessments take place in all year groups, but these are not statutory.

4. What do SATs tests show? The idea of the SATs is to show what pupils have learnt and retained during Key Stage 2. The tests help us to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of what your child understands about a subject.

5. Can my child fail a SATs test? It is important that children understand they are not going to 'pass' or 'fail' the test – it will just show what they have learned and what they can do.

6. What are the children tested on? The children are tested on all of the work they have covered in Key Stage Two: English, Maths and possibly Science. (Schools will be selected for Science sampling. If we are selected, we will have to administer the test within the SATs week.)

7. Preparing for SATs in school… • Literacy and Numeracy class lessons. These will include learning the skills and content required in Year 6, practise questions and help with test technique. • Lessons will be more focussed towards revision as we get closer to May. • Regular Homework – often relates to work covered in class. Revision books will be used from Christmas onwards. • Practice Papers.

8. There has been a change in the format of the Reading and the Maths papers for May 2014.

9. What form will the tests take? • English Reading Test – Levels 3-5 • There will be three or four texts within the reading booklet, which will not be linked but will become increasingly more difficult. • The children will have one hour to read the texts and complete the questions at their own pace. • Writing (teacher assessment) - Writing tasks will be monitored from any time between February and June. SPAG test (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) (45 mins) • Assesses the following elements of the English curriculum: • Sentence grammar. • Punctuation - writing sentences that are correctly punctuated. • Vocabulary - writing sentences in which a word is used correctly • Spelling

10. Maths written papers 1 & 2 These are 45 minuteslong. They will include a range of topics. Calculators are not allowed in either test. Mental Maths This is a 20 minutes timed test. It is delivered by CD, each section of questions is timed. Science assessment will be teacher assessment including 2 written tests, UNLESS Heathlands is chosen for sampling. If this is the case then we will be sitting a formal Science assessment.

11. KS2 Timetable May 2014

12. How will the results be reported? • Year 6 SATs tests are sent away for marking. In early July, the school will receive the papers and the results back. • Following this, you will receive a report showing the teacher assessment (i.e. what level the teacher thinks your child is working at) and the SATs results. • You will also be sent an additional sheet which details how your child fairs in comparison to the national and the school averages.

13. It is important to remember that both teacher assessment and SATs levels carry equal weighting. Secondary schools liaise closely with our school so that they have a good picture of your child’s strengths and areas of development. They group the children before the SAT results are back so they use our teacher assessment results.

14. What is teacher assessment? Teachers are required to summarise their assessment at the end of the key stage, giving a level for each attainment target in English, mathematics and science. They must also give an overall subject level in mathematics and science and English.

15. Age Related Expectations - these are the levels which you child should be achieving at different points during their time at primary school.

16. What do the levels mean? • It is expected that the majority of 11 year old children will achieve Level 4 by the end of Year 6. • However, for some children achieving Level 3 is a real success for that particular individual. • A child achieving Level 5 is working at a high level. Progress : It is expected that a child should have made 2 sub-levels progress from their SAT results in Year 2. Eg. Year 2 – Level 2 Year 6 – Level 4 Year 2 – Level 3 Year 6 – Level 5

17. How can parents help? • Don't worry - the tests are not an eleven plus. A child does not fail SATs. • Encourage children to be confident about their ability to do well. • Playing is important - children should not be stopped from living their lives as normal during test week. • Support your child in working through their homework. Also check out some on-line learning resources such as the BBC revise wise site to help your child revise – see website suggestions.

18. Top tips to help your child: • Use the study guides to support your child. (Will • be used after Christmas.) • 2. Encourage your child to explain his/her thinking. • 3. If your child continues to struggle after being given help, tell them to speak to us (Mrs Gidlow, Mr Williams & Mrs Moore.) • 4. Teach your child good studying habits e.g. working in a quiet place, asking when stuck, taking a break etc Reward / Praise your child for persisting with the homework • 5.Talk through questions with your child. If the child is confident, you could make the question into a word problem.

19. If you or your child has any further questions about the SATs process, please do not hesitate to come into school and ask. Thank you all for your support.