Year 6 SATS and beyond
Yesterday I attended a parent meeting at my son’s middle school which was about year 6 SATS. These are statutory tests covering reading, spelling and mathematics (maths). I am confident that I know how to help prepare my son for these tests, however I fear I am now entering the phase which I have dreaded for the past 10 years! I finally have to learn the British higher educational system in order to give meaning to these tests and help my son acheive the best results. Over the years I’ve passively tried to understand the system. I’m still cloudy on the terminology and I know things have changed so I get confused when my husband talks about the O and A levels that he has or does not have. I know these are extinct now. Or are they? I know GCSEs come into play fairly soon as well but I still don’t understand why some kids have more than others and why this has such great bearing on their University decisions. And why is it called revision and revise? I can’t get used to that terminology.
Can anyone explain all this to me in a simple manner so that I can help my son understand the larger picture and what is in store for his future schooling. I would be much obliged! I’m sure other parents who are in my shoes would also be very interested to have a point of reference too so please post here!
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I’m with you Meg, still don’t understand the system! I’m learning as I go along. Let us know when you find the answers. xx
The sats tests are mainly for governement statistics. As a guide teachers may use them mainy form year two onwards.
Your child’s progress has been tracked throughout primary school and these tests are to help level his/her achievement by the end of primary school (year 6). At the end of year 6 level 4 is expected, however level 5 is really good and some schools even test children at level 6 (particualry if they are bright/ gifted). I beleive when our chidren arrive at secondary school further tests are administered on their arrival ( or shortly afterwards).
Hope this helps.
Thank you for posting. He is starting them today! He has worked really hard – the school’s taking them pretty seriously. His middle school goes until year 7. Then it’s high school. The system is slightly different down here – his cousin who lives in Bristol and who is the same age is going up to high school next year because his middle school finishes at year 6. He’s having SATS too.