Key Stage 2 SATs 2018

What subjects are the children assessed in? The children are assessed in: Reading Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation Maths Writing (teacher assessment)

What form will the tests take? Date Tests Monday 14th May English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: Questions (45 minutes) 46 Questions English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2: Spelling (15 minutes approx.) (20 spellings) Tuesday 15th May English reading test (60 minutes) (33 questions – 3 texts) Wednesday 16th May Mathematics Paper 1: Arithmetic (30 minutes) (36 Questions) Mathematics Paper 2: Reasoning (40 minutes) (20 Questions) Thursday 17th May Mathematics Paper 3: Reasoning (40 minutes) (20 Questions) .  

“In any one school, all pupils taking the tests must take each test at the same time, but the precise start time for the tests each day is at the school’s discretion.” “The tests timetabled for each day may be taken either in the morning or the afternoon session.” Qualification and Curriculum Authority 2010 We will be taking the tests in the morning, when the children are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

For all of the tests, except the ‘Reading’, help will be given to those children who request it for reading questions. However, we are unable to rephrase questions or explain them further. Some children may benefit from receiving slightly longer to complete the test. Strict criteria apply for this and we will let you know if this applies to your child. Some children may find it difficult to cope for the periods of time demanded by the tests and may work in a smaller group elsewhere in school. Once again we will let you know if this applies to your child.

The booklet is coloured, bright and interesting. The Reading Test The booklet is coloured, bright and interesting. 60 minutes are given for reading and completing the paper. No support can be given for this.

The texts are not based around a theme and will be both fiction and non-fiction.

The answers are recorded in a separate booklet. The page numbers or sections of the reading booklet are referred to. Some of the questions require a tick in a box, a one word answer or a phrase. These receive one mark.

Multiple choice answers also receive one mark. These seem really easy at first glance but, without careful reading, mistakes can be made. Some of the answers are very similar and the children are encouraged to refer back to the text to be sure of the answer.

Other questions require more detailed answers and are worth 2 or 3 marks. These require the children to work things out using clues from the text and using their own experiences but always referring back to the text.

Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test Paper 1 is a booklet which has short answer questions. The children have 45 minutes to complete this test. Paper 2 is a spelling test.

In the Grammar and Punctuation tests, there will be a series of questions… Some like this with multiple choice answers.

Copy the sentence below. Add any missing full stops or capital letters. it went into the water and made a terrible splash ................................................................................................................................. 1 mark   Also, some like this whereby the children will need to write or rewrite a selection of text, or identify errors. An error is underlined in the sentence below. I have told you before, I hasn’t got any money! Write the correction in the box.  1 mark

The spelling task 1.       They were ........................... the crates on a boat. 2.       The world’s oldest railway ..........................., built for steam locomotives, is Broad Green. 3.       For breakfast we had ........................... eggs. 4.       Mary ........................... the papers together. 5.       In ..........................., lunch will be served an hour later. In the spelling tests, the children will have a series of 20 sentences with the word missing. The word will be read to them and then read in the context of the sentence on their paper.

Arithmetic – Paper 1 The questions vary in difficulty and so the children are encouraged to leave questions they can’t answer. This helps them to attempt those questions further on in the paper that they may feel more confident with. 30 minutes Once they have finished the test and checked their answers, we then suggest they should attempt those questions they missed out.

Getting Ready for the Tests The quality teaching and learning that has taken place all year will continue. The children have been tested to see what their strengths and weaknesses are. These have then helped us concentrate on specific areas for learning and teaching. Confident learners will show what they can do in the test.

Revision -Through regular homework -Online -In class through lessons -As morning activities -During intervention -During tuition (in some cases)

How can you help your child? Provide a calm, reassuring environment for them to study in. Encourage them to study and complete homework. Make sure they sleep well and eat well. Encourage regular exercise to boost endorphins. Make sure they attend school all the time. Reassure them that they should do their best.

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD? Encourage your child to look at the Revision Guides that they have from school. Discuss your child’s work with them. Encourage the idea of ‘little and often’. Whilst we encourage revision and practising at home in order to prepare for these tests, this should not be at the expense of a happy and well-rounded child. Teach your child good studying habits e.g. working in a quiet place, asking when stuck, taking a break etc. Reward and praise your child for persisting with a challenge.

APPs

Please let us know if your child is feeling too pressured. This is not our aim, but to enable the children to feel as confident as they can during an important week.

SATs are not the end of Y6 Your child will continue to learn, have fun and get prepared for starting Secondary School. End