1. SATs Standard Assessment Tasks The name given by the government to the statutory tests in the core subjects (English and Mathematics) of the National Curriculum, taken by all children in England at the age of 7 and 11

2. What do SATs test show? The Key Stage 2 tests are designed to test pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the specific element of the Key Stage 2 programme of study. They provide a snapshot of pupil’s attainment at the end of the key stage The Key Stage 2 tests are designed to test pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the specific element of the Key Stage 2 programme of study. They provide a snapshot of pupil’s attainment at the end of the key stage It is important that children understand they are not going to pass of fail the test – it will just show what they have learned and what they can do It is important that children understand they are not going to pass of fail the test – it will just show what they have learned and what they can do

3. What are the children tested on? Year 6 children are tested on English and Mathematics. At present, the tests start on the week of the 13th May and consist of the following format:

4. English Tests Schools are required to administer the level 3-5 English reading test and the new English grammar, punctuation and spelling test. They may also choose to administer the corresponding level 6 tests.

5. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test What is the English grammar, punctuation and spelling test? The English grammar, punctuation and spelling test assesses your child’s English skills in five key areas in Year 6: skills in five key areas in Year 6:  spelling  spelling  punctuation  punctuation  grammar  grammar  vocabulary; and  vocabulary; and  handwriting (to be confirmed Autumn 2012).  handwriting (to be confirmed Autumn 2012).

6. The Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test The Department for Education is introducing the test because they want to make sure that when children leave primary school they are confident in grammar, punctuation and spelling. The test will ensure that primary schools place a stronger focus on the teaching of these skills than in previous years.

7. Is this an extra test? No. The original English writing test is being discontinued, and the new English grammar, punctuation and spelling test will be introduced in May 2013. From 2013, teachers will make a separate judgement on how well your child is doing in writing composition - such as composing letters or stories instead.

8. Mathematics Test Mental Maths Mental Maths An oral test which consists of 20 questions. The test is divide into 3 sections, with each section either having 5, 10 or 15 seconds to answer An oral test which consists of 20 questions. The test is divide into 3 sections, with each section either having 5, 10 or 15 seconds to answer Written Paper A 45 mins – without calculator Written Paper A 45 mins – without calculator Written Paper B 45 mins with the use of calculator Written Paper B 45 mins with the use of calculator See examples on table See examples on table http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n- yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n- yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm

9. Level 6 Tests Level 6 tests in English reading, writing, punctuation, grammar and spelling test and mathematics now form part of the suite of Key Level 6 tests in English reading, writing, punctuation, grammar and spelling test and mathematics now form part of the suite of Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. These tests are optional and are aimed at high attaining children. Stage 2 National Curriculum tests. These tests are optional and are aimed at high attaining children. The level 6 English reading and mathematics test will be provided to schools and administered in the afternoon of SATs week The level 6 English reading and mathematics test will be provided to schools and administered in the afternoon of SATs week

10. Timetable DateLevel 3-5 tests*Level 6 tests* Monday 13 MayEnglish reading test Tuesday 14 MayEnglish grammar, punctuation and spelling test Wednesday 15 May Mental mathematics test Mathematics - Test A Thursday 16 MayMathematics - Test BMathematics - Paper 1 Mathematics - Paper 2

11. How will the results be reported? Year 6 SATs are sent away for marking and then returned to school. Results will be made available to school by mid July and then reported to parents

12. The results show whether or not your child has reached the expected National Curriculum level for their year group. The results show whether or not your child has reached the expected National Curriculum level for their year group. A level is a method of comparing your child’s ability against local and national standards of achievement. The spread of marks required to achieve each level is wide. It takes, on average, two years to complete each level. A level is a method of comparing your child’s ability against local and national standards of achievement. The spread of marks required to achieve each level is wide. It takes, on average, two years to complete each level.

13. What do the results mean? It is expected that the majority of children of 11 year olds will achieve Level 4 by the end of Year 6. However, for some children, achieving a Level 3 is a real success for that particular individual. It is expected that the majority of children of 11 year olds will achieve Level 4 by the end of Year 6. However, for some children, achieving a Level 3 is a real success for that particular individual. A child achieving Level 5 is working at beyond national expectation A child achieving Level 5 is working at beyond national expectation Any children working at Level 6 for Numeracy and English are working well in to the Secondary curriculum Any children working at Level 6 for Numeracy and English are working well in to the Secondary curriculum

14. What are we doing to prepare your children for SATs ? From the week of 6 th February the Year 6 timetable will change. From the week of 6 th February the Year 6 timetable will change. Each morning children will either have a double session of Numeracy or Literacy and a single session of the other. Each morning children will either have a double session of Numeracy or Literacy and a single session of the other. In the afternoons children will continue to have a broad and balanced curriculum undertaking activities such as art, PE, ICT, RE topic work etc In the afternoons children will continue to have a broad and balanced curriculum undertaking activities such as art, PE, ICT, RE topic work etc

15. What are we doing to prepare your children for SATs? (continued) Children may also be selected for small group support in the afternoon. These sessions last no longer than 30 minutes and are based on revision of key skills in Numeracy and Literacy. Children may also be selected for small group support in the afternoon. These sessions last no longer than 30 minutes and are based on revision of key skills in Numeracy and Literacy. Some children will also continue to have intensive small group support for English and Numeracy Some children will also continue to have intensive small group support for English and Numeracy Some children will be extended for Numeracy Some children will be extended for Numeracy and Literacy in preparation for taking the level 6 test and Literacy in preparation for taking the level 6 test

16. What are we doing to prepare your children for SATs? At the time of the test, some children may have support with an adult reader, who reads the content of the mathematics paper and the writing test. At the time of the test, some children may have support with an adult reader, who reads the content of the mathematics paper and the writing test. Very few children, depending on their need, will also have a scribe to record their answers in the mathematics and English papers. Very few children, depending on their need, will also have a scribe to record their answers in the mathematics and English papers.

17. What are we doing to prepare your children for SATs? Bacon sandwiches or the equivalent veggie option, will be provided for breakfast at 9am every morning, by the school, and a snack at break time!! Bacon sandwiches or the equivalent veggie option, will be provided for breakfast at 9am every morning, by the school, and a snack at break time!!

18. How can you help to support your child? Encourage children to be confident in their ability to do well Encourage children to be confident in their ability to do well Support your child in the homework tasks set and continue with reading at home. Support your child in the homework tasks set and continue with reading at home. You may want to support your child through some revision guides. We have some samples here tonight that you can order. You can also purchase revision guides from WH Smith You may want to support your child through some revision guides. We have some samples here tonight that you can order. You can also purchase revision guides from WH Smith

19. How can you help to support your child? There are also some good on-line learning resources that you may find useful. There are also some good on-line learning resources that you may find useful. http://www.woodlands- junior.kent.sch.uk/revision http://www.woodlands- junior.kent.sch.uk/revision http://www.woodlands- junior.kent.sch.uk/revision http://www.woodlands- junior.kent.sch.uk/revision http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ http://www.mathszone.co.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/ http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n- yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm http://www.st-josephs-pickering.n- yorks.sch.uk/past_test_papers.htm

20. The week of SATs Give lots of encouragement Give lots of encouragement Make sure your child gets enough sleep Make sure your child gets enough sleep Make sure they eat breakfast Make sure they eat breakfast Explain that SATs are a way of showing what they know Explain that SATs are a way of showing what they know If your child is sick please ring school immediately as we can make arrangements for your child to take the test later on in the day or during the week. If your child is sick please ring school immediately as we can make arrangements for your child to take the test later on in the day or during the week.