SATs 2024

SATS 2024 are rapidly approaching and we want to reassure you that we will do everything we can to make the process as comfortable as possible for your children.

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 Purley, our pupils practice summative tests on a termly basis and are exposed to test conditions in a range of subjects continuously.  

KS2 SATS (Year 6 Pupils) will be administered throughout the week of Monday 13th May to Thursday 16th 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

During SATs week we will be providing a breakfast for all year 6 children.  Details of breakfast timings will be shared nearer the time.  Please ensure that any allergies that your child may have are shared with the school office and teaching staff.

What will children be tested on in their 2024 SATs? 

Of course we all wish we knew the answer to this question! KS2 SATs consist of 6 papers. In addition there is a teacher assessed element in KS2 to establish a ‘Writing’ score. These papers are sent back to be marked centrally with marks standardised around a score of 100. 

Year 6 National Tests: KS2 SATs Papers 2024

All children in Year 6 will sit the following KS2 SATs Papers in 2024. In addition some schools will be chosen for science sampling and will also sit a KS2 Science Paper

The KS2 Reading SATs:

• This is one paper, with questions that are based on 3 different passages of text. Pupils will have 1 hour to complete the paper.

The KS2 SPaG SATs:

• There is a 20 word aural spelling test which should last around 15 minutes.
• There is also a written element which consists of an English grammar and punctuation paper, which will last for 45 minutes.

The KS2 Maths SATs:

• There will be 3 mathematics papers.
• Paper 1 is an arithmetic paper which will last for 30 minutes.
• Papers 2 and 3 are reasoning papers which will last for 40 minutes each.

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 when the child starts 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 their 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 your child's class teacher or the school office by email on office@purley.w-berks.sch.uk or by calling 0118 9842384