Information for Parents on Key Stage 2 SATs

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Information for Parents on Key Stage 2 SATs
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What does SATs Stand For?

• Statutory Assessment Tasks and Tests (also
  includes Teacher Assessment).
• Usually taken at the end of Key Stage 1 (at age
  7) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (at age 11).

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What level should children be at?

• Around 75 of children are at Level 4 by the end
  of Key Stage 2.
• Some children will still be at Level 3 and some
  children will achieve Level 5.
• A small percentage of children will not yet be
  working at Level 3.

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How are the children assessed?

• For children working at Level 3 and above, there
  are two sorts of assessments tests and
  teacher assessments.
• For children working below Level 3, the only
  statutory assessment is teacher assessment and
  those children do not take the tests.

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When do these tests happen?

• This year it is the week beginning 12th May. All
  tests take place in that week. Children may not
  take them earlier or later.
• Usually there are two tests per day and it is a
  busy week for children and staff alike.

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What do the tests involve?
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ENGLISH
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Reading Comprehension

• 15 minutes independent reading time
  and 45 minutes to read and answer questions.
• No help with reading/explaining is allowed, but
  teachers may help write answers if this is
  necessary.
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not
  important.
• Most marks are for explanations.
• The test covers Levels 3-5 and is worth 50 of
  the overall English mark.
• Separate reading and writing levels are also
  given.

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Writing

• This year there are two writing tests.
• There will be no choice of writing prompt.
• Short Writing Test 20 minutes including
  planning time.
• Long Writing Test 45 minutes including planning
  time.

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Spelling

• This is a short dictated passage with 20
  words to be spelled.
• Marks from the spelling test will be aggregated
  with the writing tests and contribute to the
  overall level recorded.
• They will also be aggregated with the reading and
  writing test marks and contribute to the overall
  subject award at Levels 3-5.

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Handwriting

• Handwriting will be assessed in the longer
  writing test rather than in a separate test.

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MATHS
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Mental Maths

• There are 20 questions which the children hear on
  CD.
• Each question is read twice.
• They involve a range of skills, not just
  numbers.
• Working out time is 5, 10 or 15 seconds.
• The test is worth 20 of the overall subject mark.

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Paper A

• In this 45 minute written paper, calculators are
  not allowed.
• Some questions are worth one mark and therefore
  accuracy is important.
• Other questions are worth two marks and even if
  the answer is wrong, a mark may be given for
  correct working.
• This year there is more emphasis on being able to
  use and apply maths.
• Teachers may read questions in both written
  papers to pupils if asked.

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Paper B

• This paper is similar to Paper A but there are
  bigger numbers and a calculator is allowed (and
  needed).
• Calculators will be checked - fairly basic ones,
  familiar to the children, that do not round up
  are best.

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SCIENCE
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Paper A

• A range of questions, some over two pages, with a
  number of parts.
• The test now lasts 45 minutes.
• Teachers may read questions to pupils.
• There is increased emphasis on scientific
  process set in a range of contexts and a focus
  on investigations and experiments.

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Paper B

• Similar to Paper A.
• Both papers will be taken on the same day
  (Monday).
• In both tests teachers may read questions to
  pupils if asked.

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What does teacher assessment involve, and is it
different from testing?

• Teacher assessment draws together everything the
  teacher or teachers know about a child, including
  observations, marked work and school assessments.
• Teacher assessment is not a snapshot like tests
  and is therefore more reliable.
• There can be a difference between teacher
  assessment results and test levels.
• Teacher assessment only, is used for children who
  work below level 3.

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How is SATs week organised?

• A timetable is issued to school, telling us
  on which days tests must be
  administered.
• We can determine at what time tests begin.
• All children must sit the tests at the same time.
• Test papers can only be opened 1 hour before the
  tests begin.
• Tests are completed in classrooms, with any
  displays that may help covered over.
• The LEA monitor 10 of schools per year.
• Children are divided into groups for test
  administration to ensure they are properly
  supported and feel secure.

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What help can children have?

• In the reading test, children must read the
  text and questions by themselves, but MAY
  have help recording their answers, if
  this is done in a normal classroom
  situation.
• In maths and science, teachers can read questions
  to any child who asks, some children will have
  the whole paper read to them, on a one to one.
• Teachers can encourage, but not guide or say that
  an answer is correct or incorrect.
• Some children can be given up to 25 extra time
  if they have identified learning needs. This
  has to be applied for in advance.
• Words on a test paper can be transcribed where a
  marker may not be able to read a childs answer.

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How can parents help?

• The best help is interest taken in
  learning and progress.
• Attending meetings and parents evenings.
• Supporting homework.
• Not putting children under too much pressure
  Ensuring children arrive for tests
• - in good time
• - having had breakfast
• - having gone to bed at a reasonable time

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What information do parents get and when?

• Test papers are sent to external markers
  after the tests and arrive back in school
  early in July.
• Schools then check the results and papers to
  ensure there are no errors. Sometimes papers are
  sent for re-marking.
• Schools must inform parents of SATs results by
  the end of the school year in July.
• Parents receive test and teacher assessment
  levels for English, maths and science.
• Parents are given the overall school results as a
  percentage. These are compared to the previous
  years national figures.

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What information do secondary
schools receive?

• Dudley LEA has common transfer
  information between primary and secondary
  schools.
• Information is transferred by computer.
• This includes name, date of birth, unique pupil
  number, Key Stage 1 SATs results, Year 6 teacher
  assessments, plus any other information.
• Secondary schools have this information by July,
  which helps them to group children and provide
  necessary support.
• Secondary schools are sent Key Stage 2 SATs
  results.

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2009 Test Timetable