Statutory Assessment and Screening Checks Parental Information

KS1

These assessment tests are no longer statutory in 2024 however, the DFE will provide copies of the assessments to all schools and they may be used to support teacher assessment. At St Peter’s the intention is to use them to confirm teacher assessment and to provide a standardised score. As has always been the case, the school will report on teacher assessment. The assessments will be delivered as appropriate, following the guidelines provided by the DFE.

Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) – 3^rd June – 14^th June 2024

 The purpose of the check is to determine whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables up to 12, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will also help the teachers to identify pupils who may need additional support.

The MTC is an on-screen check consisting of 25 times table questions. Children will answer 3 practice questions before moving on to the official check and will then have 6 seconds to answer each question. On average, the check should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

 

Key Stage 2 Tests – Year 6 2024

Please remember, that the SATs tests are not something that you or your child should be worrying about. These statutory tests are one of a suite of tools schools use to assess your child.  Throughout their time at St Peter’s, our children have practised a range of low stakes summative tests and are used to completing these ongoing assessments to inform teaching and learning.

We want to reassure you that we will do everything we can to make the process as comfortable as possible for our children. The children will have a relaxed start to the day during SATS week; having breakfast together and supporting each other to feel confident and ready. Mrs Jose and Mrs Keegan know our children well and will ensure that each child is prepared in a way that supports them to do their very best.

 

The key stage 2 tests will be taken on set dates from 13^th – 16^th May 2024.

The dates are set by the Standards and Testing Agency and will consist of the following papers:

 

Monday 13th May 2024 - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Paper 1 - 45 mins

Monday 13th May 2024 - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Paper 2 - 20 mins

Tuesday 14th May 2024 - English Reading - 60 minutes

Tuesday 14th May 2024 - Maths Paper 1 (Arithmetic) - 30 minutes

Wednesday 15th May 2024 - Maths Paper 2 (Reasoning) - 40 minutes

Thursday 16th May 2024 - Maths Paper 3 (Reasoning) - 40 minutes

 

How will Key Stage 2 SATs be marked?

Children will be given standardised scores. You will be given your child’s score, alongside the average for their school, the local area and nationally. There will also be a ‘performance descriptor’ of the expected standard for Key Stage 2 pupils. The Department for Education is aiming for 85 per cent of children to reach or exceed that standard.

What can parents do to help their children prepare for SATs?

We are sure that there are many parents worrying about what they can do to help their children.  Our most important piece of advice is to not put them under any pressure with regard to these tests.  

 

For pupils in Year 6, the tests are predominantly used as part of a transition package for Secondary School.  However, once again, this information is supported by Teacher Assessments and a range of other contextual information.  Often, Secondary Schools will conduct their own baselines in Year 7 to inform their groupings.  So please remember, that if your child does not get the results you had hoped for, it really isn't the end of the world.  

 

Here are some important tips for helping your child prepare for SATs:

 

1. Talk about the SATs and tell them not worry about them. The school will also do this, too, but it makes a bigger impact if school and parents do this together. Children perform best when they are relaxed.
2. Reading is a key part of primary education so keep encouraging daily reading whether your child reads on their own or if you read together. Discuss the books, the characters, the storylines and encourage your child to express their own opinions on the book. This is important to their long term development as well as SATs test.
3. Play mental games when you are on the way home whether you are walking or driving. Playing card games, Uno, Monopoly and dominoes all help with Maths. Whereas games like hangman, Boggle or Scrabble will support with literacy,
4. You can buy test papers and work through them with your child but your child will be doing lots of tests in school so only do more if your child enjoys the challenge. If your child doesn’t like them, it is counter productive to force them to do more.
5. There are lots of revision guides available to buy. You do not have to get one but if your child is reassured by having a book why not choose one together.
6. Try to keep everything else running normally. So, whether its sport, music lessons or Scouts and Guides; sticking to your normal routine of out of school activities demonstrates to your child that SATs are not the be and end all of year 6.
7. During the SATs week, whilst keeping to normal timetable, try to avoid late nights, as children will find sitting the tests tiring.
8. Try to make sure your child has some fresh air when they come home from school on test days.
9. Keep it in proportion. They are primary-school tests to gauge the education in the school and do not affect the secondary school your child will go to.
10. Stay positive. Many children enjoy taking the tests as they see it as a challenge and like the importance and the feeling of being special that SATs give year 6.

 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Jose, via Seesaw or Mrs Gili-Ross via email head@st-peters-pri.lancs.sch.uk Or through the school office 01253 734658