Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) are some of the most important exams your child will take in his or her educational journey. If you want to give your child the best start in life, it’s important to give them the best education possible. Extra assistance in preparation for and during these exams can also help them reach their full potential and secure their place at a senior school of your choice.
At Achieving Success, our programmes are designed to help tutor your child and prepare them for those all-important SATs exams. With our expert tuition taught by fully-qualified teachers, we help your child reach their full potential.
What Does SATs Stand For And What Are They?
SATs stands for Standard/Statutory Assessment Tests. They are standardised assessments that are part of the national curriculum for primary school key stage one (KS1) and key stage two (KS2) pupils.
These tests allow teachers and parents to assess their child’s overall development in both Maths and English. Whilst KS1 SATs are fairly informal, KS2 SATs are taken under exam conditions and are marked externally.
The improvement between KS1 and KS2 assessments is deemed to be a clear indication of future success in a child’s overall educational progress and development. The results of these tests may determine your child’s placement in a secondary school. SATs can help to predict the GCSE potential of pupils, allowing teachers to compare the development of their students with that of their peers and other schools across the country.
SATs results can also be used to highlight strengths and weaknesses of a child’s general ability and enjoyment in certain subjects. This may also determine whether or not a child needs extra tuition in preparation for any entrance examinations for senior schools.
They also help headteachers, the Department of Education and local authorities to identify schools that are struggling and in need of support.
Are SATs Compulsory?
SATs are compulsory exams for both KS1 and KS2, apart from children that are working below the level for their age, such as children with special educational needs. However, SATs are not compulsory in independent schools, but many still administer them in order to prepare children for future examinations.
What Do The Tests Involve?
There are a number of core assessments and subject areas that SATs cover. Firstly, English SATs include testing English reading and writing and English grammar, punctuation and spelling; as well as fictional and non-fictional comprehension. Maths SATs also cover both reasoning and arithmetic.
During these formative years, your child will have been introduced to other key subjects, such as Science. Elements and topics from these key subjects may be included in the English comprehension section of the exam. Our programmes can help your child to develop their analytical skills to deliver accurate and concise answers. Being proficient in this core attribute will serve them well throughout their school career and beyond.
What Do The SATs Results Mean?
Your child’s SATs results will be available towards the end of the summer term after the assessments have been taken. The results are presented in three formats, indicating the level at which your child is performing.
These formats are:
- Raw score – the overall number of marks your child has received
- Scaled score – a converted score that illustrates a year-on year-comparison
- Expected or national standard – the base level a child is expected to reach and if they have attained this
SATs Results Explained
At KS2, scaled scores range from 80 to 120. Anything below a score of 100 indicates that your child may need extra support. Anything above a scaled score of 100 means that your child has met the expected standard or is working above the standard expected for their age.
It is likely that a child who performs well in their SATs will go on to thrive in future examinations, such as GCSEs and A-Levels.
What Happens If My Child Fails Their SATs?
Whilst SATs are only a performance indicator, a poor score can limit the choice of subjects that are available at GCSE level. Your child may also be placed in a lower set in secondary school where they will be prioritised for needing extra help or tuition.
How To Prepare For SATs
At this age, children only have a limited concentration span. Revision should, therefore, be scheduled on a regular basis and not exceed an hour without a break. They should not feel under pressure as this can hinder their learning and affect their confidence.
At Achieving Success, our Year 6 SATs programme provides children with a fun and interactive environment in which to learn. With our preparatory lessons, your child will build their confidence and develop a greater understanding of the topics tested in both Maths and English.
Our classes are taken in 60-minute sessions with no more than 10 children in a class, giving them a bespoke, one-to-one learning experience. Our small classes give students the support and attention they need to excel, reducing anxiety around asking questions and seeking help.
How Can Achieving Success Support Your Child?
Preparing for and getting your child through SATs assessments can be a challenging and stressful time of their education and understanding what help is out there in terms of tuition isn’t always clear.
At Achieving Success, we provide bespoke tuition led by fully-qualified teachers, who all have years of experience. Using bespoke materials, our tuition is designed to allow your child to perform at their best, giving them the perfect opportunity to make maximum progress.
Our tutoring sessions take place in six state-of-the-art centres. We can give your child the ability to practice the skills and techniques learnt in class, providing them with the essential knowledge needed to succeed. Our tutoring programmes are also recommended by the UK’s leading educational boards.
If you feel your child is in need of extra tuition, please get in touch today to arrange a call-back with one of our team members. Alternatively, you can contact us at info@achieving-success.co.uk or give us a call on 0121 769 2795. We’d be delighted to discuss a bespoke programme for you.