SATs tests – information for Year 2 parents

What are SATs? SATs stands for Standard Assessment Tasks (and Tests) It is compulsory for all state schools to administer SATs at the end of Y2 and Y6. SATs tests for Y2 have to be taken at any point in the summer term. We have to complete our assessments by the end of June. In practice, this means most tests are done in May.

At the end of Year 2 Teachers have to carry out tests in Reading, Writing and Maths. They use these tests to make their teacher assessment judgment on your child’s National Curriculum Level. We report the levels to you in your child’s annual report in July, along with a school summary and a national summary.

What are the levels expected? The expected level for the end of Year 2 is a 2b. Children may also get the following levels- W (Working towards Level 1) c -2a -3

What do the tests look like? Reading – a short reading passage and comprehension questions. There is a harder test for children judged to be working at Level 3. Children who are less confident readers will be asked to read a story book (not a reading scheme book) and asked some comprehension questions about it.

What do the tests look like? Writing – a spelling test plus a piece of short writing (usually a non-fiction piece) and a longer piece (usually a fiction piece). Mathematics – a short test paper. Children judged to be working at Level 3 will also need to pass an additional test.

Will my child feel stressed? We hope not! The tests are carried out as part of normal classroom practice and are a chance for your child to demonstrate what he or she can do. You do not need to worry about the tests – they are not a pass or fail and do not mean that they will be kept down a year or penalised in Year 3.

What can I do to help? Make sure your child goes to bed on time and gets up for school in plenty of time in the mornings as being late may mean they miss the start of a test. Make sure your child attends school every day. Make sure your child completes any homework given and that you listen to them reading every day.

SATs workshops Wednesday Hawthorn Thursday Holly

Finally… Next year SATs will change. There will no longer be National Curriculum Levels. We do not know what format tests will take next year, but we expect there to be more emphasis on spelling and mental arithmetic. We will hold a meeting for parents of next year’s Year 2 early in the autumn term to explain the changes.