This is the time of year when parents with children in Year 6 start getting concerned about their child’s mental health leading up to the SATs. There are many parents who believe SATs should be abolished because they are seen as not being important, only testing the teachers, adding unnecessary stress to a child, and not the best way to measure a child’s performance.

In our 25 years’ experience of supporting Key Stage 2 children with their learning, we believe that SATs are valuable tests that do not just test a child’s knowledge but also help them build skill sets and get them ready for their new education experience at secondary school. All can be achieved whilst having a positive experience through the right process.

What are SATs?

SATs are compulsory tests set by the government for year 6 pupils. The results of these tests indicate the strengths and weaknesses of each child, and their knowledge of what they have been taught in school.

The SATs test a child’s ability in English reading, grammar, punctuation and spelling, and maths. They comprise six exam papers: a reading paper; a spelling, grammar and punctuation paper; a spelling test and three maths papers.

The results are scaled to provide guidance on whether a child is performing at the national standard, or above or below it.

Here is our reassurance that schools are introducing the SATs in the right way to support your child and help them achieve

Starting early

Most schools start getting children ready for their SATs from the beginning of Year 6. The approach of gradually introducing SATs throughout the year means that children shouldn’t feel overwhelmed. It gives them time to relook at topics and practise questions without any pressure. Gradually introducing SATs throughout Year 6 also introduces helpful learnings for the children about planning and time management when learning and revising.

The right environment

We all recall the experience of taking exams in secondary school, often held in a large gym or the school hall. The sight of row upon row of desks would fill us with a sense of dread and anxiety. When you sat at your desk the atmosphere could feel tense, with the sound of rustling papers and the occasional cough breaking the silence. The invigilators, pacing up and down the aisles, added to the feeling of being watched and judged.

This perception of examinations stems from our own experiences. However, by gradually introducing children to examination settings and preparing them adequately, we can mitigate their negative feelings about taking exams. We can support children in becoming comfortable, for example by not feeling intimidated by rows of desks or invigilators. This will help them to feel relaxed and motivated in such an environment.

In primary school, most of the preparation for the SATs will take place in your child’s classroom, an environment that is familiar and comfortable for them. When they are undertaking their mock exams or the actual tests, they may be seated in a larger room; however, this setting will remain within the familiar confines of their school.

Encouragement

Most schools share with parents the test papers their child has taken to show how they have progressed and where there are gaps they need help with. The test papers give a real insight of how your child is doing at school. Knowing where their gaps are means you can support your child at home to help them feel more confident in tricky areas.

Our Key Stage 2 range is perfect to support children at home to improve their maths and English skills. Parents can support their child in advance by purchasing the complete series of workbooks for them to work through, or by selecting the workbooks that cover the areas where their child needs support. Our how-to method makes it simple for parents and children to use our books; all they need to do is work through the workbooks.

Here’s how our workbooks work:

Step 1: Information to be understood

Step 2: Technique to be mastered

Step 3: Exercises to be practised 

Recognition and celebrate

We believe there is a structured process for assisting children in preparing for their SATs. It is crucial for children to understand the entire process, as it allows them to envisage the potential outcomes. This approach will support them in developing essential skills in planning and self-motivation to achieve their goal.

Before the SATs begin, a useful motivational strategy for children is knowing they will have an opportunity to celebrate afterwards. Having a goal to work towards can help manage any anxiety about the tests. Schools often provide some form of reward for the entire class or year group to celebrate together, such as extra play time, a disco, or a film afternoon. This encourages children to understand the value of collective success, recognise their progress, and give them happy memories to look back on.

Parents may also choose to acknowledge their child’s effort at home; this could include activities such as a games night, a trip to the cinema, or a family picnic in the park. The positive experience from celebrating achievements may inspire them for future exams.

Do you still think taking SATs is a negative experience?

If you have any concerns, our advice is always to contact the school for reassurance and advice as soon as they arise. Schools have the experience to know how to steadily get children ready to sit the tests, and support them in recognising how far they have come. It’s important that parents and teachers are in the SATs journey together to make sure this is a positive experience for the child.

We wish your child every success with their SATs.