Standard Assessment Tests 2013

Today we want to  Inform you about the tests your children will take this year  Let you know what has changed this year  Show you some examples of test material  Reassure you that your children are well- prepared

This year your child will take:  Three maths papers  One reading test  Several writing tasks  In addition, some children may take some level 6 papers

Maths  Paper A lasts for 45 minutes  The children have a pencil, ruler, protractor, tracing paper and a mirror

Maths  Paper B lasts for 45 minutes  Children have a pencil, ruler, protractor, tracing paper, a mirror and a calculator

Maths  The third maths paper is mental maths  Each child has an answer sheet with some information on it (eg there might be three numbers to be added)  In order to standardise the test nationally the questions are on a cd, which the teacher plays to the children  Children have 5, 10 or 15 seconds to answers questions

Any questions about maths?

Reading  The children have a booklet of reading material  There are usually a mixture of fiction and non-fiction texts

Reading  After 15 minutes of reading time, the children then receive an answer booklet, testing their understanding of what they have read.

Any questions about reading?

Writing  There were big changes to the writing last year  Teachers argued that the writing test was the most subjective and least reliable test  If the subject of the test didn’t appeal to the child, they might not give a fair reflection of their ability  On the other hand some had a great day and achieved a much better result than usual  (Teachers didn’t complain about this!)

Writing  This year the children’s writing will be assessed using a broad range of writing, not just one or two pieces  As well as this, the children will complete a spelling and grammar test (SPAG) although the government has now decided that this will not impact your child’s writing score.

Writing  In order to check our judgements, we have decided to moderate with our partner schools, which are Catherine Wayte, Abbey Meads and Orchid Vale  The Local Education Authority will also moderate some schools to check judgements

Writing  This is a transition year and depending on what happens, arrangements may change again next year

Test Levels  Throughout their time at Bridlewood, you have been told the national curriculum level that your child is currently achieving eg 4c, 2a etc  The results of the tests will be given to you as an overall level eg 3, 4 or 5

Level 6 tests  Since last year, level 6 papers have been offered  I have checked our results and requested level six papers for our highest achieving children, based on most recent results  In recent years, we have had some of the highest numbers of level five achievers in Swindon, so this is a way of showing what our high achievers can do.

Level 6 papers  If your child moves into year six already at a level 5, it can look like they have made little progress, because the testing regime has a ceiling.  We can see, as I hope you can, that they have made progress but if the test doesn’t measure level 5 sub-levels (c, b and a), it can e difficult to see that progress in test results  Last year, we would have liked more information and samples earlier for your children to prepare. This year, there are more practise papers to prepare them with.

Preparation  Hopefully, your child will not feel that SATs have dominated their year six  However, their achievement has been climbing steadily and we are hopeful that this year’s results will be good.  They have had numerous opportunities to learn exam technique and have really improved on their timing.

Timing

Today we want to  Inform you about the tests your children will take this year  Let you know what has changed this year  Show you some examples of test material  Reassure you that your children are well- prepared Have we done it?