1. Parent’s guide to SATs M.Maan, H.Lea & C.Taylor

2. Aims of today’s workshop: Understand what our children will be tested on and the format of the tests Understand what our children will be tested on and the format of the tests What the levels mean What the levels mean How parents can help and support their children How parents can help and support their children

3. When are our children formally assessed? Reception – baseline tests Reception – baseline tests KS1 year 2 - teacher assessment KS1 year 2 - teacher assessment KS2 year 6 – SATs KS2 year 6 – SATs (w/b 14 th May 2011) KS3 year 10 - GCSEs KS3 year 10 - GCSEs

4. What do SATs tests show? The idea of the SATs is to show what pupils have learnt and retained. The tests help our teachers learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of what your child understands about a subject.

5. Can my child fail a SAT’s test? NO! NO! It is important that children understand they are not going to 'pass' or 'fail' the test – it will just show what they have learned and what they can do.

6. What form will the tests take? English Reading 45 minutes + 15 mins reading time Writing Long 45 minutes and short 20 minutes Spelling 10 minutes Handwriting assessed within the long writing Mental Maths 20 minutes Written paper A - 45 minutes Written paper B – calculator paper- 45 minutes Science assessment will be teacher assessment

7. Preparations for SATs in school…… English & Maths revision lessons (differentiated) English & Maths revision lessons (differentiated) Regular homework Regular homework Practice papers Practice papers

8. Reading……….   The children have 15 minutes to read a story or poem and some information writing, all roughly based around a theme such as 'spiders' or 'bicycles‘   They then have 45 minutes to answer questions about the texts. Some are tick-boxes and for others they need to write a few phrases to answer (it doesn't have to be in sentences).

9. The questions range from the literal (who does what, when) to the deductive (where, for example, they have to work out how someone is feeling from what they say). Your child will be encouraged to say which parts of the text told them the answer. Pupils often need to back up their ideas with evidence from the text, to fully support their answer.

10. Literal Questions

11. Deductive Questions

12. Writing Children will complete two tests:   The Short Writing Test will last about 20 minutes and children will have to complete a piece of writing in that time.   The Long Writing Test will last about 45 minutes. Children will need to write a longer piece including spending up to 10 minutes planning.   Handwriting is assessed within the longer writing test.

13. Spelling and handwriting   Your child will be given a sheet of writing with 20 gaps in it, and the teacher will read the completed text out. They will have to fill in the gaps.   This paper is worth 7 of the 100 available marks - so poor spellers can still achieve level 4.   Handwriting is assessed in the Writing Tests so children will need to write 'neat' all the time.

14. Mathematics This also involves three papers. The first two cover lots of calculating skills, understanding of shapes, symmetry and reading charts. The first paper has a range of problems from straight calculations to practical examples (like working out how many cakes fit on a tray). The second paper has a similar mix of problems, but this time the children are allowed to use calculators, so the numbers tend to be trickier - bigger, or decimal.

15. Examples

16. Gaining full marks! In both of these papers, children are encouraged to show how they got an answer, and can get marks for a sensible try at a question even if they get the answer wrong. Children will also be expected to show an understanding of how to use and apply their mathematical knowledge in a variety of ways or 'to think like a mathematician'.

17. Mental Test The third paper is on mental skills. A CD is played with 20 questions, and the children are given either 5, 10 or 15 seconds to answer them on a prepared sheet. SEN Children with special needs who need questions read to them, or whose writing is hard to read (and need a helper to write it for them) can be given extra time in these tests.

18. Science The science tests are not statutory from last year and teacher assessment will be used.. Pupils will still complete science assessment as part of the teacher assessment, but will form part of the science teaching throughout the year.

19. What is teacher assessment? Teachers are required to summarise their assessment at the end of the key stage, giving a level for each attainment target in English, mathematics and science. They must give an overall subject level in mathematics and science and English.

20. How well should my child do in these tests? National Curriculum Level National Curriculum Level Level 8 (GCSE) Level 7 Level 7 Level 6 Level 6 Level 5 Level 5 Level 4 Level 4 Level 3a, 3b, 3c Level 3a, 3b, 3c Level 2a, 2b, 2c Level 1 Age 7 Age 7 Age 11 Age 14

21. How can parents help? A child does not fail SATs. Talk to your child about SATs, tell her/him not to worry Run through a question a day, looking at a the type of language used in the questions and how specific questions can be approached Develop ideas for stories Daily reading, ask questions about the text

22. Play mental maths games Play mental maths games Encourage your child to make predictions & draw conclusions about daily situations, giving reasons Encourage your child to make predictions & draw conclusions about daily situations, giving reasons Use r guides and/or online learning resources e.g. BBC revise wise Use revision guides and/or online learning resources e.g. BBC revise wise Playing is important - children should not be stopped from living their lives as normal Playing is important - children should not be stopped from living their lives as normal