Year 6 SATS Workshop
Tuesday 24th February 2015
What are SATS?
• Standard
• Assessment
• Tests
What are SATS?
• SATS are used to show your child’s progress.
They are not about passing or failing but they
are used to reflect the level your child is working
to in relation to their age related expectations.
• SATS are part of the overall teaching and
learning that your child receives during their
primary education.
The role of SATS
• End of Key Stage 2 SATS take place during Year 6 in
the month of May. This year they will begin on
Monday 11th May 2015. The Key Stage 2 SATS are
more formal than the End of Key Stage 1 SATS.
• Your child will be part of the last cohort to take the
SATS in their current form. The SATS have already
gone through changes and there is more focus on
the progress made throughout the school year. The
value of teacher assessment has also increased over
the years.
SATS explained
• Year 6 children are required to take externally
set assessments in English and Maths.
• The standard papers cover levels 3 – 5 with level
4 being the expected National Average at the end
of Primary School.
• Most tests last between 45 and 60 minutes.
Year 6 English SATS
• During the English SATS your child will be
assessed on a range of reading skills, such as the
ability to interpret, infer and deduce
information and comment on the writers’
use of language.
• They will also have to demonstrate accurate
grammar and punctuation use and
understanding.
Year 6 English Reading
• English Reading – 60 minutes including
reading time
• One paper based on reading comprehension of
three texts with a total of 35 – 40 questions of
increasing difficulty.
• Questions vary with marks allocated. Some are
worth 1, 2 or 3 marks.
Example 1 mark Year 6 English
Reading questions:
• Questions 9 – 18 are about The Jungle
Book – an extract (pages 6 – 7).
• Q17.
A) What is the most tense moment in the story?
___________________________ (1 mark)
• B) What happens to bring the tension to an end?
___________________________ (1 mark)
An example 3 mark Year 6 English
Reading question:
• Q18.
Think about everything you have read on pages 6 and
7.
What impression of wolves does the writer give?
Explain your answer as fully as you can.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
(3 marks)
Year 6 English Gaps/SPAG
• The English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
Test which covers sentence grammar,
punctuation, vocabulary, spelling and used to
cover handwriting was introduced in 2013.
• This replaced the old writing paper with writing
now being tested purely through teacher
assessment during the academic year.
Year 6 English SATS
• Your child’s writing now links to the wider
curriculum. Teachers ensure that subjects such
as Religious Education, Personal Social and
Health Education and the International Primary
Curriculum (which covers Science, History and
Geography) have extensive writing links.
Therefore your child may be asked to write a
diary entry, a non-chronological report or a
recount in these lessons.
Year 6 English SATS
• English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
(Referred to as SPAG or GAPS) consists of two
papers:
• Paper 1 – 45 minutes
• This comprises of 40 – 60 short answer questions
covering grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Paper 2 – 15 minutes (approximately)
• A spelling test with 20 questions which are read out by a
teacher.
• The scores from both papers are then added together.
An example GAPS Paper 1 question:
• Read the sentence below. Replace the word
‘tasty’ with another word with a similar
meaning. Write the word in the box.
• The soup was tasty, but there was hardly any
left.
• ___________
(1 mark)
An example GAPS Paper 1 question:
• Read the passage below. Insert capital letters
and full stops so that the passage is punctuated
correctly. One has already been done for you.
• The weather was terrible when they wanted to
go fishing jason suggested going on sunday
instead
(1 mark)
An example GAPS Paper 1 question:
• Which ending would make the word lazy an
adverb?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Laziness
Lazily
Lazier
Laziest
(1 mark)
An example GAPS Paper 1 question:
• Read the sentence below and circle all the
nouns.
• I cooked the eggs while my brother fried the
bacon.
(1 mark)
An example GAPS Paper 2 question:
• Your child will spell words dictated by the
examiner (presented within sentences). For
example:
• Pria turned on the television to watch her
favourite cartoon.
• The word is television.
Department for Education
• ‘The Government wants all
children to leave primary
school with a sound grasp of
essential English skills.’
Year 6 Maths SATS
• During the Maths SATS your child will be tested
on a range of core skills including:
• Knowing all of their times tables and using them
to divide and multiply;
• Using a protractor to measure angles;
• Calculating the perimeter and area of shapes;
• Solving problems by collecting and using
information in tables, graphs and charts and
• Solving problems involving ratio and proportion.
Year 6 Maths SATS
• Mathematics Paper 1 – 45 minutes
• This comprises of between 20 and 26 questions.
• A calculator is NOT permitted.
• Mathematics Paper 2 – 45 minutes
• This comprises of between 20 and 26 questions
• A calculator is NOT permitted.
• Mental Maths – 20 minutes
• This comprises of 20 questions read to the children
via a compact disc.
An example Year 6 Maths Paper 1
question:
• Circle the number that is closest to 300
• 338
3030
288
313
130
(1 mark)
An example Year 6 Maths Paper 1
question:
• Megan and Chen are washing cars.
• Megan gets £39 and Chen gets £55. They share
what they get equally between them.
• How much does each of them get?
(2 marks)
• The children are instructed to ‘show your
working’
An example Year 6 Maths Paper 2
question:
Write the missing number.
164.5 - ________ = 76.88
(1 mark)
An example Year 6 Paper 2 question:
• 364 is a multiple of 7 but not a multiple of 3.
• 384 is a multiple of 3 but not a multiple of 7.
• Find a number between 364 and 384 that is
both a multiple of 7 and a multiple of 3.
(2 marks)
• The children are instructed to ‘show your
method’
Level 6 SATS
• Level 6 SATS are additional tests intended to
challenge high achieving children who are
excelling in Maths and/or English.
• The additional tests allow a child to achieve a
standard (Level 6)that the average child does not
reach until Year 10.
Level 6 SATS
• The Department for Education advises that only
children who are expected to achieve a Level 6
should take these tests.
• They must also take the Levels 3 - 5 paper first
and can only be awarded a Level 6 if they also
achieve Level 5 on the standard paper.
• The Level 6 tests are taken on the same day as
the Levels 3 – 5 paper.
Level 6 SATS
• If they do not pass the Level 6 paper then they
are awarded the grade from their Levels 3 – 5
tests instead.
• School Performance Tables show the number of
pupils who were awarded Level 6.
SATS Timetable
Date
Test(s)
Monday 11th May 2015
Levels 3 – 5 English Reading
Level 6 English Reading
Tuesday 12th May 2015
Levels 3 – 5 English Grammar,
Punctuation and Spelling Papers 1 and
2
Level 6 English Grammar,
Punctuation and Spelling Papers 1 and
2
Wednesday 13th May 2015
Levels 3 – 5 Mental Mathematics
Levels 3 – 5 Mathematics Paper 1
Thursday 14th May 2015
Levels 3 – 5 Mathematics Paper 2
Level 6 Mathematics Paper 1
Level 6 Mathematics Paper 2
Please note that all children sit these tests on the same day in all schools.
SATS Timetable
• All children to arrive at 8:15am.
• Breakfast (consisting of fruit, a choice of cereals and
milk with a drink of fresh orange) will be served.
• SATS warm up sessions will be undertaken in the
Key Stage 2 Hall.
• Tests will be administered in the Year 6 Classrooms.
School Photographer
• Please note that the School Photographer will be
in on 13th May 2015 to take the Year 6 Leavers’
photograph.
• Please ensure that your child is in winter
uniform.
• Thank you.
NB
• Please note that there are only 42 teaching
days until the Year 6 SATS therefore
absences cannot be authorised during the
Spring Term for Year 6 children unless there
are exceptional circumstances. This is
outlined in school procedures.
• There is some provision if children are
unwell but we prefer if all of the Year 6
children can sit the tests together each day.
Year 6 SATS Regulations
• Upon arrival the test materials must be kept secure and
treated as confidential before, during and after each test.
• A school must be able to give an accurate account of
everyone with access to the test materials before, during
and after each test.
• Tests will be opened together with the children at the
start of each test.
• Tests must be administered according to the published
procedures and staff administering must be
appropriately trained.
Year 6 SATS Regulations
• Tests must be carried out according to the
published timetable unless a timetable variation
has been approved.
• Tests will be parcelled up and locked away until
collected by the stated courier.
• The papers will be sent away to official SATS
markers and results will be returned in July
before the children leave.
Access Arrangements
• Children with specific difficulties will be catered
for.
• There are clear guidelines for a school to follow
and parents will be liaised with when and where
appropriate.
How to support your child?
• Remind your child to attend booster sessions.
• Support your child with their homework and
revision.
• Purchase Maths revision guides (available from the
School Office).
• Support your child by practising their times tables
with them.
• Encourage your child to read a variety of texts –
fiction, information books, comics, newspapers,
magazines on a regular basis to broaden their
vocabulary.
How to support your child?
• Remind your child that feeling nervous is
natural but they will be fully prepared for their
End of Key Stage Tests.
• If undertaking practice materials then ensure
that your child answers all of the questions.
• Remind your child to not become overly
confident or complacent.
• Remind your child not to panic and please do
not panic yourself.
How to support your child?
• Write some unpunctuated sentences for your
child to punctuate correctly.
• When writing letters or emails encourage your
child to add adjectives or adverb to a sentence.
• Make spelling a part of everyday life!
• Ensure your child has regular early nights.
• Encourage your child to speak to staff at school
regarding questions or queries that they have.
• Encourage your child to visit the Hedgehogs
relaxation drop in sessions during SATS Week.
How to support your child?
•
•
•
•
•
Ensure your child eats breakfast.
Undertake deep breathing.
Count to 10.
Get plenty of fresh air.
Think positive thoughts – speak to yourself and say
‘I will do my absolute best. I do know it.’
• Listen to soothing music.
• Exercise.
• Talk to family and friends – a problem shared is a
problem halved!
Frequently Asked Questions
• How do teachers assess in the Key Stage
2 SATS?
• Other subjects, including English Writing and
Speaking and Listening are assessed by teachers
rather than by children taking a formal written
test.
• This assessment data is then submitted to the
Department for Education and is subject to
moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
• How do secondary schools use teacher
assessment data?
• The Year 6 teacher assessment data is transferred to
secondary schools so they can be used in planning for
Year 7 teaching.
• Year 6 teachers will undertake extensive discussions with
your child’s secondary school in the form of hand over
meetings with a representative from each secondary
school. Discussions cover academic ability,
musical/sporting strengths and social aspects.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Isn’t Science tested in Key Stage 2?
• Science Sampling was reintroduced in 2014.
• Under this system 9,500 children – five children
from 1,500 schools are randomly selected to take a
science test.
• Schools that are selected will be notified by mid-May
and are legally obliged to participate if chosen.
• Science sampling takes place every 2 years so there
will be no compulsory science tests in 2015.
• Children will be awarded a level for science based on
a teacher assessment.
Useful Websites
• SATS Preparation Plan
• www.theschoolrun.com/sats-practice-plan
• BBC Revisewise
• BBC Skillswise
• MyMaths
• Mental Maths boosters are available at:
• www.compare4kids.co.uk/mental -maths.php
• Please remember to give extra work to do in
moderation.
Past SATS Papers/Test Base
• Throughout the year there will be opportunities for
your child to look at past SATS papers and ask
specific questions.
• Teachers make use of Test Base which allows them
to focus on questions related to a particular topic
from a selection of SATS papers.
• Common mistakes made by children from across the
country can be identified and addressed using Test
Base.
Past SATS Papers
• Past SATS papers are available online at:
• TheSchoolRun.com
• http://www.theschoolrun.com/
• SATs-Papers.co.uk
• www.sats-papers.co.uk/
The importance of SATS
• The importance of the SATS cannot be denied.
• It is imperative that your child realises this and gives
100% in order to do their best.
• We want all children to show their potential and
demonstrate what they know.
• This process is well organised with clear
explanations and support for all of your children.
Thank you for
your support.