What are the Year 6 SATs?

Year 6 SATs (Standardised Assessment Tests) refer to the national assessments that take place in schools across England at the end of Key Stage 2, typically for students aged 10-11. These tests are designed to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the primary school curriculum and provide a measure of their attainment before transitioning to secondary school.

What is assessed in Year 6 SATs?
Year 6 SATs cover three main subjects: English (including reading, grammar, punctuation, and spelling) and mathematics. In previous years, science has also been assessed, but this is no longer the case. These tests aim to evaluate students’ proficiency in these core areas.

For the English SATs, students may be asked to read and answer questions about a range of texts, demonstrate their understanding of grammar rules, and showcase their spelling abilities.

The mathematics SATs assess various mathematical concepts and skills, including number operations, measurement, geometry, statistics, and problem-solving. Students are tested through a combination of multiple-choice questions, problem-solving tasks, and written explanations.

When do the Year 6 SATs take place?
Year 6 SATs typically take place in May, with each subject having a specific test schedule. The assessments are set by external examining bodies and are administered under standardised conditions in schools across the country.

How are the Year 6 SATs scored?
The results of Year 6 SATs provide a snapshot of students’ performance in relation to national expectations. The outcomes are reported as scaled scores, with a score of 100 considered the expected standard. Individual students receive a report detailing their scores, and schools also receive aggregate data to inform their teaching and monitor overall performance.

After taking the test in May, the Year 6 SATs papers are marked by external markers and you should receive your child’s SATs results during the first two weeks of July.

The SATs marking scheme is based on age-related expectations. Age-related expectations are statements set by the national curriculum, stating what children should have learned or be able to do by the end of Key Stage 2. For example:
– Working below the expected level of attainment
– Working at the expected level of attainment
– Working above the expected level of attainment (at greater depth)

For each SATs paper, your child will get:
• A raw score (simply the actual number of marks they achieved in their SATs.
• A scaled score (based on the raw score and ranges from 80-120 where 100 is national average)
• An outcome code:
– AS: the expected standard has been achieved
– NS: the expected standard has not been achieved
– A: the child was absent from one or more of the test papers
– B: the child is working below the level assessed by SATs
– M: the child missed the test
– T: the child is working at the level of the tests but is unable to access them (because all or part of a test is not suitable for a pupil with particular special educational needs)

Schools usually give parents the scaled score, outcome code or both. You are unlikely to be given your child’s raw scores.

Are the Year 6 SATs important?
It’s important to note that Year 6 SATs are just one aspect of a child’s overall educational journey and should not be seen as the sole determinant of their abilities or potential. They provide a snapshot of performance at a specific point in time and are used in conjunction with other forms of assessment to inform educational planning and support students’ progress.

Year 6 SATs can play a role in the transition to secondary school. The results may be used by secondary schools to help inform setting or grouping decisions, as well as to identify any additional support that a child may require in certain subjects. They provide some information for secondary school teachers about a child’s strengths and areas for development.

Year 6 SATs results, along with ongoing assessments conducted by teachers, contribute to monitoring a child’s progress throughout their primary school years. They provide data that can be used to identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. This information helps teachers and schools to plan appropriate support and interventions.

For some children, Year 6 SATs can create a sense of pressure or stress. It is important for parents and teachers to create a supportive environment and emphasise that SATs are just one part of their educational journey. It’s crucial to help children understand that their worth and abilities are not solely determined by test scores. Focusing on their overall growth, progress, and well-being is equally important.

Year 6 SATs results, along with teacher assessments, contribute to decisions regarding educational planning. They help inform secondary school placement, set baseline expectations, and identify any additional support or interventions that may be required to support a child’s learning needs.

It’s worth noting that while Year 6 SATs have some importance within the education system, they should be considered as part of a broader assessment approach. The holistic development of a child, including their well-being, social skills, and creativity, should also be nurtured alongside academic achievements.

How can Bright Light Education help prepare children with their Year 6 SATs?

Bright Light Education runs a friendly and effective Tutor Referral Agency in which Bright Light Education UK LLP acts as agents on behalf of the tutor and introduces the tutor to the client.

We have a range of tutors who can support children with their SATs preparation, who tutor both online and face-to-face. These tutors are qualified teachers. We have a strict selection process and interview all tutors. We request all tutors to have an enhanced DBS check and to be signed up to the DBS Update Service. All tutors are self-employed.