Supporting your child to reach their potential & understanding the changes to SAT’s 22nd January 2015 Kelvin Grove Primary School

Purpose of today Develop a rich home-school Partnership Clarify the Expectations of year 6 Enable the children’s Potential Understand the Changes in SATs

Why SATs? SATS (Standard Assessment Tests) tests are given at the end of year 2, year 6 and year 9. They are used to show your child's progress. Every child is tracked and given targets that they should reach by the end of year 6. National average is a 4b Chance to show how good they are! Key Stage 2 SATs take place in May and are far more formal than Key Stage 1, hence they seem much more stressful! The tests, which are taken in year 6 cover the core subjects of; English and Numeracy. This is the last year pupils will be tested against this curriculum.

When? 11 th – 14 th May Level 3-5 tests take place on a morning. Level 6 tests on an afternoon. One test a day Monday - Thursday

Numeracy 3 Tests covering levels 3 -5 Mental Test Paper A – 45mins Paper B – no longer a calculator paper – 45mins Mental – Timed questions 5 seconds, 10 seconds & 15 seconds Level 6

Numeracy Support Calculation Policy SAT questions, are generally, written as word problems – need to understand the key vocabulary Ask your child to explain the homework to you – Do they understand? Check it with them at the end – Presentation, Units, All completed

Literacy 2 main components Writing Reading The 2 parts combine to give an overall English level SPaG is a separate reported result.

Literacy - Writing On-going teacher assessment Children create a bank of evidence of the level they are working at. Evidence is taken from independent writing from literacy, Big Write, Creative Curriculum with some evidence used from science and RE books.

Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar The English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (informally known as the SPAG test) was introduced two years ago as part of the KS2 SATs programme for Year 6 pupils, replacing the previous English writing test. ‘The Government wants all children to leave primary school with a sound grasp of essential English skills,’ says a Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson. ‘The test will put an additional focus on writing skills and encourage good teaching.’ Children will receive a standalone mark for the SPAG test.

SPaG Test The SPAG test will include questions that assess the following elements of the English curriculum: Sentence grammar through both identifying and writing sentences that are grammatically correct Punctuation through identifying and writing sentences that are correctly punctuated Vocabulary through identifying and writing sentences in which a word is used correctly

Spelling 20 spellings across a range of rules. Spelling is the main reason for levels in SPAG being pulled down.

Literacy – Writing Check list – 13 types of punctuation VCOP – Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation Text structure : paragraphs; headings; organisation Sentence structure: simple; compound; complex Writing for purpose: explanation; persuasion Handwriting & Presentation: making a good first impression Spelling

What does it look like? Level 4 First Impressions Handwriting Paragraphs Checklist Word choices

What does it look like? Level 5 Clear openers Personal writing style: humour Structure supports the writing Connectives used accurately

Literacy - Reading 1 test – 1 hour – no theme Between 3/4 texts to read across fiction and non-fiction Texts get harder. Understood as comprehension Taught in Small Group sessions and as a weekly lesson Retrieval Inference & Deduction Evaluation

Reading - Support Accelerated reader – reading for purpose and enjoyment Understanding what they might be asked. Reading should inform their writing ‘Magpie’ ideas and words/phrases Authors : eg Michael Morpurgo What skills does the author use? Eg elaborative description, high level language

Intervention In class focused small groups – exactly what they need! May miss some lessons. To benefit the children – up to them to show what they can do! More trips and less intensive activities after SATs. See the big picture!

Ways to support Homework – read the instructions with them, check it with them after. Ensure presentation is consistent. Revision Guides –Letts approx £5, CGP guides. BBC Bite size KS2 website – Maths and English

Homework After half term – homework will increase. Short term and intensive. Pupils are tested on all aspects of Key Stage 2. Excellent revision. Homework will form part of lessons, as we mark and discuss it together as a group. SAT style questions in: Numeracy – SPAG - Reading and Spellings Staggered during the week.

Easter Homework 2 weeks Short daily tasks to continue children’s progress. Focus on Maths, SPAG and Reading. Only 14 school days after Easter holidays.

Websites Woodland Juniors Mad 4 Maths ICT Teachers Cool Maths Games St Johns

SAT Breakfast Club Each morning of SATs. 8am – hearty breakfast followed by some targeted revision and guidance for the day. Helps to calm nerves Gives a huge sense of togetherness and support. Pupils are ‘in the zone’!

Conclusion Expectations of Year 6 Home – School Partnership Reaching their potential – school work & homework 10 weeks to go. Don’t panic!

Questions??