KS2 Assessments

WHAT ARE THE SATS?

SATs are the Standardised Assessment Tests that are given to children at the end of Key Stage 2. These take place over four days, starting from Monday and ending on Thursday in May.

The SATs papers consist of:

Grammar, punctuation and spelling (paper 1: GPS)
Grammar, punctuation and spelling (paper 2)
Reading
Maths (paper 1: Arithmetic)
Maths (paper 2: Reasoning)
Maths (paper 3: Reasoning)
Writing is assessed using evidence collected throughout Year 6. There is no Year 6 SATs writing test and all writing is teacher assessed unless we have been chosen to be assessed externaly by the local authority moderators.

When and how the SATs are completed?

The tests take place during normal school hours, under exam conditions. After the tests are completed, the papers are sent away to be marked externally and the results are then sent to the school in July.

Each test lasts no longer than 60 minutes:

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (paper 1: Grammar/ Punctuation) – 45 minutes
Spelling, punctuation and grammar (paper 2: Spelling) – 15 minutes
Reading – 60 minutes
Maths (paper 1: Arithmetic) – 30 minutes
Maths (paper 2: Reasoning) – 40 minutes
Maths (paper 3: Reasoning) – 40 minutes

Specific arrangements for SATs

Children with additional needs (who have similar support as part of day-to-day learning in school) may be allotted specific arrangements, including:

Additional (extra) time
Tests being opened early to be modified
An adult to scribe (write) for them
An adult to read for them (including a translator)
The use of prompts or rest breaks

THE RESULTS

Tests are marked externally. Once marked, the tests will be given the following scores:

A raw score (total number of marks achieved for each paper
A scaled score (see below)
A judgement on if the National Standard has been met.

After marking each test, the external marker will convert the raw score to a scaled score. Even though the tests are made to the same standard each year, the questions must be different. This means the difficulty of the tests may vary. Scaled scores ensures an accurate comparison of performance over time.

Scaled scores range from 80 to 120.

A scaled score of 100 or more shows the pupil is meeting the National Standard (EXS)

THE GPS PAPER

The grammar, punctuation and spelling consists of two papers. Paper 1 focuses on all three elements (grammar, punctuation and spelling or GPS) and lasts for 45 minutes. Paper 2 consists of a spelling test only. It should take approximately 15 minutes, although this is not a set amount of time (pupils should be given as much time as they need to complete the test).

This test focuses on:

Grammatical terms/ word classes
Functions of sentences
Combining words, phrases and clauses
Verb forms, tenses and consistency
Punctuation
Vocabulary
Standard English and formality
This test requires a range of answer types but does not require longer formal answers.

THE READING PAPER

There is one reading test that lasts for 60 minutes and this test is designed to measure if the children’s comprehension of age-appropriate reading material meets the national standard. There are three different set texts for children to read. These could be any combination of non-fiction, fiction and/ or poetry.

The test covers the following areas (known as Content Domains):

Give/ explain the meaning of words in context
Retrieve and record information/ identify key details from fiction and non-fiction
Summarise main ideas from more than one paragraph
Make inferences from the text
Explain and justify inferences with evidence from the text
Predict what might happen from details stated and implied
Identify/ explain how information/ narrative content is related and contributes to meaning as a whole
Identify/ explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words and phrases
Make comparisons within the text

THE MATHS TESTS

The maths assessments consist of three tests:

Paper 1: Arithmetic (30 minutes)
Paper 2: Reasoning (40 minutes)
Paper 3: Reasoning (40 minutes)

These papers require children to demonstrate their mathematical knowledge and skills, as well as their ability to solve problems and their mathematical reasoning. They cover a wide range of mathematical topics from key stage 2 including:

Number and place value (including Roman numerals)
The four operations
Geometry (properties of shape, position and direction)
Statistics
Measurement (length, perimeter, mass, volume, time, money)
Algebra
Ratio and proportion

Fractions, decimals and percentages

Supporting your child in preparing for the SATs

Firstly, a positive attitude goes a long way. Give them as much encouragement and support as you can (but we don’t need to tell you that)!

Tips:

Talk to your child’s class teacher if you have any concerns as we always here to help if we can.

Encourage your child to talk to their teacher or a trusted adult (including yourself) if they have any anxieties. Don’t forget that a small amount of anxiety is normal and not harmful.

Give your child time to go outside and reduce screen time.

Ensure your child is eating and drinking well and getting a good amount of sleep.

Plan something nice and fun for the weekends before and after SATs. This will help them to relax before the SATs and give them something to look forward to after.

THE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

The SATs focus on what children know about Maths and English.They will not reflect how talented they are at science, geography, art, PE…, and they certainly won’t highlight all of their amazing personal characteristics. The SATs don’t tell the whole story. Their results will say if they did or did not meet a certain standard but not necessarily by what margin. These thresholds change each year according to the overall national performance, so what was classed as ‘meeting the expected standard’ this year might not be the same as last year. SATs are only four days out of a whole Cannington journey. If your child does not meet the age related expections, please don't worry. This will just highlight to your child's secondary school that they may need some extra support or help in these areas.

AND FINALLY....

After the SATs are finished, we will have a lovely post SATs party!

LINKS TO SATS PRACTISE MATERIALS

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrybvk7#zb2p3qt

https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/free-ks2-sats-papers-sats-revision-maths/

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/ordering-and-sequencing

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/7-11-years/spelling-and-grammar

https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/resources/ks2-sats-online-10-minute-tests?

https://rollama.com/index-games-toggle.php

https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/free-sats-downloads-ks1-ks2/

https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/key-stages/ks2/subjects?utm_campaign=Google_Maths_KS2_Campaign&utm_source=Google_PPC&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_content=responsive_PPC_ad&utm_term=Google_Maths_KS2_Campaign_AdG3_SATs&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzcDQhNjCiwMVu41QBh3AIQxMEAAYAyAAEgJX-_D_BwE

https://uk.ixl.com/english/year-6#grammar-and-mechanics