Compulsory SAT tests are carried out every year in school with children in Year 2 and Year 6. In addition to this children in Year 1 take a phonics reading test in June. This test is a series of words – proper and nonsense words which children are asked to read using their phonic knowledge. If a child in Year 1 does not get the required number of words right to pass the test they are able to resit it in Year 2.
SAT tests for Year 2 children are taken in Reading, Writing and Maths and are done in May. Teachers use their professional judgement based on work done during the year to assess the level at which each child is working. This judgement is then confirmed by a test usually done in May. The results are submitted to the local authority and to parents via end of year reports and parent/teacher meetings.
In Year 6, before children leave us to move to Secondary school they undertake tests in Reading Comprehension, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation (SPAG) and Numeracy. These tests are set by the Department for Education and must be taken in a particular week in May. All maintained schools in the country take the same test on the same day. This year SAT week begins on Monday 9th May and the timetable of when each test happens is below.
The papers from the Year 6 tests are marked externally and results published by the Department for Education in early July. Parents and children will be made aware of these as soon as they are released to us.
How you can help
- Try to talk to your child ahead of the test week and reassure them – re-iterating the message that they just need to try their best and not worry.
- Make sure that they have a reasonably early night during SAT week. They will feel under a degree of stress so try to be patient.
- Ensure that they have a healthy breakfast before coming to school. Once in school we provide milk, juice or fruit prior to the tests starting to those children who want it.
- Once home ask your child how the day went and what they think they did well.
