Parent’s guide to SATsParent’s guide to SATs

M.Maan, H.Lea & C.TaylorM.Maan, H.Lea & C.Taylor

Aims of today’s workshop:Aims of today’s workshop:

Understand what our Understand what our children will be tested on children will be tested on and the format of the and the format of the teststests

What the levels meanWhat the levels mean How parents can help How parents can help

and support their childrenand support their children

When are our children When are our children formally assessed?formally assessed?

Reception – baseline testsReception – baseline tests KS1 year 2 - teacher KS1 year 2 - teacher

assessmentassessment KS2 year 6 – SATs KS2 year 6 – SATs

(w/b 14(w/b 14thth May 2011) May 2011)

KS3 year 10 - GCSEsKS3 year 10 - GCSEs

What do SATs tests show?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.

Can my child fail a SAT’s test?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.

What form will the tests What form will the tests take?take? English Reading 45 minutes + 15 mins

reading time Writing Long 45 minutes and short 20

minutesSpelling 10 minutesHandwriting assessed within the long writing

Mental Maths 20 minutesWritten paper A - 45 minutes Written paper B – calculator paper- 45 minutes

Science assessment will be teacher assessment

Preparations for SATs in Preparations for SATs in school……school……

English & Maths revision English & Maths revision lessons (differentiated)lessons (differentiated)

Regular homeworkRegular homework Practice papersPractice papers

Reading……….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).

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.

Literal QuestionsLiteral Questions

Deductive QuestionsDeductive Questions

WritingWriting

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.

Spelling and handwritingSpelling 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.

MathematicsMathematicsThis 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.

ExamplesExamples

Gaining full marks!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'.

Mental TestMental 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.

ScienceScience

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..

What is teacher assessment?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.

How well should my child do in these How well should my child do in these tests?tests?National National Curriculum Curriculum LevelLevel  

Level 8Level 8  (GCSE)(GCSE)

Level 7Level 7      

Level 6Level 6  

Level 5Level 5  

Level 4Level 4  

Level 3a, 3b, Level 3a, 3b, 3c3c  

Level 2a, 2b, Level 2a, 2b, 2c2c

Level 1Level 1

Age Age 77  

Age Age 1111

Age Age 1414

How can parents help?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

Play mental maths gamesPlay mental maths games Encourage your child to make Encourage your child to make

predictions & draw predictions & draw conclusions about daily conclusions about daily situations, giving reasonssituations, giving reasons

Use rUse revision guides and/or guides and/or online learning resources e.g. online learning resources e.g. BBC revise wiseBBC revise wise

Playing is important - children Playing is important - children should not be stopped from should not be stopped from living their lives as normalliving their lives as normal