KS2 SATS 2018
KS2 SATS All children across the country will be completing their SATs the week beginning 14th May 2018 The week consists of the following: Grammar and punctuation paper Spelling test Reading paper Arithmetic paper 2 Reasoning maths tests Science -Random sampling Science tests take place in selected schools each year. We have been chosen this year!
Timetable:
For English writing pupils will be grouped into 4 categories: working towards the expected standard working at the expected standard working at greater depth within the expected standard or a category for pupils who do not meet the ‘working towards the expected standard’ For English reading, mathematics and science pupils will be grouped into 2 categories: working at the expected standard or a category for pupils who do not meet the standard
Reading The reading test consists of a single test paper with three unrelated reading texts. Children are given 60 minutes in total, which includes reading the texts and answering the questions. A total of 50 marks are available. Questions are designed to assess the comprehension and understanding of a child’s reading. During the reading paper, a child’s inference and deduction skills are thoroughly tested. They will also be expected to answer questions on authorial choices, explaining why an author has chosen to use particular vocabulary, grammar and text features. Some questions are multiple choice or selected response; others require short answers and some require an extended response or explanation.
Example questions:
Example questions:
How do we prepare our children for the reading assessment? Weekly guided reading sessions Booster reading sessions lead by a teaching assistant from the team Comprehension activities from CGP homework booklets Exam practice questions Regular opportunities for focussed and shared reading
GPS – Grammar, punctuation and spelling A spelling test is administered containing 20 words, which lasts approximately 15 minutes. A separate test is given on grammar, punctuation and vocabulary. This test lasts for 45 minutes and requires short answer questions including some multiple choice. Marks for these two tests are added together to give a total for grammar, punctuation and spelling (out of 70).
Example questions:
How do we prepare our children for the Grammar and Spelling assessments? Very carefully planned coverage of the year 5 and 6 objectives Focussed teaching (and application) throughout each week Regular assessment opportunities Homework books for spelling, grammar and punctuation that help consolidate what has been covered in class Weekly spelling booster sessions with focus on Year 5 and 6 spelling patterns
Maths Children will sit three tests: paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3. Paper 1 is for arithmetic lasting for 30 minutes, covering calculation methods for all operations, including use of fractions, percentages and decimals. It is marked out of 40 with 36 questions to answer. Questions vary in difficulty. All children will be capable of accessing the more difficult questions later in the paper, although some may find these more challenging. Papers 2 and 3 cover all areas of Maths and focus on the skills of reasoning. Each test lasts 40 minutes and will contain approximately 20-24 problems. The questions in each test will be worth a total of 35 marks. Pupils will still require calculation skills but will need to answer questions in context and decide what is required to find a solution.
Arithmetic examples:
Reasoning papers:
How do we prepare our children for the Maths assessment? Daily teaching and learning of Maths and arithmetic (including reasoning skills) Booster intervention group for specific year 6 children from September Weekly arithmetic focus in lessons to work on speed and accuracy Homework designed to support classroom learning
Writing assessment There is no writing SATS test Writing assessments will be formed from judgements made by the teacher, looking at evidence from writing collected over the course of the year – particularly from January onwards We will moderate their assessments with other professionals to make sure there is a consistent standard across the country Some schools receive external moderation from the local authority to check accuracy of judgements Final judgements will be reported to parents at the same time as the other assessment results
Marking and reporting: SATs papers are externally marked (with the exception of writing) and since 2016, test scores have been reported as ‘scaled scores’. This means that 100 will always represent the ‘national standard’. Each pupil’s raw test score will be converted into a score on the scale, either at, above or below 100. Using the scaled score, the lowest a child can score is 80, with the highest being 120. A child who achieves the ‘national standard’ (a score of 100) will be judged to have demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the areas assessed by the tests and therefore working at ‘age related expectations’.
Marking and reporting: In July, the results will be made available to schools. Each pupil receives: a raw score (number of raw marks awarded); a scaled score in each tested subject; confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard. We will process the data and put the results into the end of year school reports.
Other support We recognise that SATs can be a stressful time for children and we do not want to make it any worse. We will be getting children used to the surroundings of where they will take their tests in the run up to SATs week. As part of our everyday learning, we will be teaching relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing to reduce nerves and tension. From the recent letter, you will see we are offering additional revision sessions for those who wish to participate.
SATs Breakfast As Oakhurst, we offer the children of Year 6 a ‘SATs breakfast’. This serves many purposes: The children are arriving to school in plenty of time They have an opportunity to talk to friends and teachers before going into class Every child has had something to eat and drink so they won’t be tackling the tests hungry It’s good fun!
How to help your child: Remind them they are not to feel worried or pressured about SATS. All we ask is that they try their best, SATS should not be causing anxiety. Do give lots of encouragement and praise - we do! Help with the organising of homework and support their reading for pleasure activities. Encourage them to have early nights and a good breakfast- we do provide the breakfast during SATs week but some children may wish to have their regular one too. Please speak to any of us if you have questions or concerns.
Any Questions?