All about Key Stage 2 SATs
The movement of children through school is now marked, not so much by the type of
school they attend but by the KEY STAGE to which they belong.
KEY STAGE 1 is for children aged 5 – 7
KEY STAGE 2 is for ages 7 – 11
KEY STAGE 3 is for 11-14
KEY STAGE 4 is for 14-16
At the end of each stage teachers are required to undertake both formal and
informal assessments of the progress made by pupils. The informal testing is known
as TEACHER ASSESSMENT, and is an important part of the process because it uses
judgements made from on-going assessments, taken over the whole academic year.
Teachers, in fact, are making several informal assessments every time they teach a
class, and they will use these judgements to plan what the children need to learn
next.
The formal tests are known as Standard Assessment Tests, (SATs) which are
produced nationally and are taken by most children in the country - some children will
not sit the tests if they are below a certain level. Pupils are given a level of
attainment in English, Maths and Science at the end of key stage 1 and 2.
English is tested in 4 papers and is separated into different aspects as follows:
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Speaking and listening – (teacher assessment only)
Reading
Writing
Spelling
Handwriting
An overall level is awarded, although children may achieve different levels for each
paper.
Maths is tested by 3 papers:
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Paper A – tests number, shape, space and measure and data handling
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Paper B – tests the ability to use and apply mathematics in different contexts,
and children may use a calculator
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Mental maths test: this is a timed paper which tests mental calculation and the
ability to apply knowledge at speed.
Timetable
The SATs take place in May each year. The timetable for the tests changes from
year to year but they must be administered according to the national plans, unless
special circumstances prevail.
Marking
All of the test papers are marked externally. They are sent off to a named marker
and we receive the marked papers and master list before the end of term. We do not
have the date for this, and appreciate that this is an anxious time for both parents
and children. We endeavour to process the information as quickly as possible and get
it out to you in written form as part of the annual report. If we spot a discrepancy in
the marking we can resubmit it for re-marking by another examiner, but this delays
the process.
Equipment
All of the SATs take place in the children's classroom, which is set up to allow enough
space for the children to work independently. The school provides all the equipment
necessary for the children to take the tests.
Children who use inhalers should take them into the tests with them. (An adjudicator
can accompany a child to use the toilet in an emergency, but it is discouraged.)
Reporting Results to parents
Once the results have been received from all three examiners (English and Maths),
the school is required to complete a number of forms before the results are given to
parents.
You will receive the following results:
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An individual copy of your child’s results
A copy of the results for the school
A copy of the national results for comparison – note however that these are
the previous year's results.
What do the national curriculum levels mean?
Children in year 6 are expected to achieve a level 4 in all areas. If a child is awarded
a level 3 it means they have not reached the level of the average 11 year old. If they
achieve a level 5 it means they are working at above average for their age group.
Some pupils, those with Special Educational Needs, may find it hard to achieve a level
4. For these pupils, a level 3 may be a mark of achievement, and is celebrated as such.
If we assess any pupil to be working lower than level 3 we can decide to disapply them
from the tests and will report a teacher assessment level only.
How does the school help in preparing the children?
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By ensuring the children are taught the entire curriculum that may be
tested in the SATs.
By practising key skills and sitting past test papers which will prepare the
children for the process of the tests.
By giving parents the information they need to help their children
By using revision materials – booklets (CGP), homework, BBC Revisewise
programmes and website
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise
www.cgpbooks.co.uk
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/index.html
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Booster Lessons and intervention
Super skills literacy lesson and mental maths session.
How can you help your child?
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Make sure you know what homework has been set and that it is done
thoroughly
Don’t panic – don’t transfer your anxieties to your child
Make sure they have all of the things they need for school
Help with revision – reading, mental maths, writing, comprehension
Purchasing revision materials/CD ROMs
Early nights and a ‘normal’ routine.
A proper breakfast
A banana for break time!
Should you have any further questions regarding the Key Stage 2 SATs, or any other
aspect of your child’s education, please do not hesitate to speak to their class
teacher. Thank you for taking the time to attend this meeting. We hope it has been
useful.