What are SATs? KS2 Assessments Tuesday 27 th February 2018 KS2 SAT tests are mandatory and are taken by pupils in year 6 as part of the National Curriculum assessment programme. KS2 SAT results can be used by secondary schools to put pupils into suitable sets for core subjects. They will also use these results to predict their GCSE grades. Year 6 pupils undertake KS2 SAT papers in two core subjects: English and Maths. SAT results as a key indicator of a school s effectiveness. How are SATs scored? Papers are marked externally and scores received in July. Raw scores (the number of marks awarded for each subject) will be translated to scaled scores using a conversion table. Pupils have to achieve a score of 100 be working at the expected standard for their age. Pupils who score between 80 and 99 will be assessed as working towards the standard. Historically, students whose scores achieved above 110 (2016) and 111 (2017) were working at a higher level within the expected standard. Monday 14 th May Tuesday 15 th May Wednesday 16 th May Thursday 1 th May Friday 18 th May Key Stage 2 SATS Timetable Mon 14 th May Thurs 17 th May English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: questions English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 2: spelling English reading Mathematics Paper 1: arithmetic Mathematics Paper 2: reasoning Mathematics Paper 3: reasoning Celebrations! 1
Reading - 50 marks 1 hour The English Tests Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling There is a specific focus on knowing and applying grammatical terminology with the full range of punctuation tested. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test 50 marks 45 minutes Spelling test 20 words Writing - A Teacher Assessment of writing ability will be made in May/June 2018. Technical terms in grammar will be tested. In the grammar test, two thirds of the marks will be for multiple choice questions. The remaining questions will require pupils to write a longer answer. There are 20 spelling sentences. The spelling words are tested within the context of a sentence. As the sentences are read out to the children, they fill in the correct spellings on their copy of the text. 2
How can you help with grammar and spelling? Support your child with homework read the questions to them. Encourage them to explain how they can solve and answer the question. Practice spellings thoroughly and regularly. Quick daily practice tell me a verb! Reading Test The test will last for one hour (including reading time). There will be a total of 50 marks available. There will be a range of texts including fiction, non fiction and poetry. Marks will be awarded as follows: Multiple choice or other selected responses: 10% - 30% Short responses: 40% - 60% Extended responses: 20% - 40% Example of KS2 reading questions Vocabulary formed a LARGE part of last year s papers. The knowledge of the vocabulary and the ability to gain meaning of unknown words from the context was tested thoroughly. Others will require the children to deduce answers by using words or phrases as evidence. 3
How can you help with reading? Ensure your child reads every night. Encourage them to read fiction and non-fiction. Try to listen to your child read and ask them questions about the text. Help them with the different skills of reading especially skim reading where they are looking for key words in the text. Some questions will ask the children to find literal answers from the texts. Test knowledge of vocabulary what does that word mean? Speed reading Maths Tests Maths Tests There will be three papers: 1 arithmetic paper and 2 mathematical reasoning papers. Questions in the arithmetic test will cover: mental calculations straight forward addition and subtraction more complex calculations with fractions long division and long multiplication Arithmetic Test There will be 36 questions in the arithmetic test worth a total of 40 marks. The test will last 30 minutes. Mathematical Reasoning Papers There will be two mathematical reasoning papers. Each paper will be of 40 minutes duration with a total of 35 marks per paper available. 4
How can parents help with Maths? Support with homework not just helping with the Maths but reading the questions can really help. TIMES TABLES!!! Practise telling the time. Mathletics. Help your child to check their work through this will help them to spot mistakes that can sometimes be easily fixed. Get your child to verbally explain how they will solve/have solved the problem. Explaining reasoning is key to developing the skill of choosing appropriate problem-solving methods. Assessment of writing There is no longer a written assessment test. Pupils work is assessed across the year and teaching is targeted towards the improvement of the pupil s individual writing in a range of genres. We are using a student-friendly version of the Teacher Assessment Framework (TAF ) to improve our writing. Internal and inter-school moderation occurs and Local Authority moderators can visit schools to ensure high standards of teacher assessment. 5
Access Arrangements How are we preparing? Some pupils with specific needs may need additional arrangements to be put in place so that they can take part in the key stage 2 tests. Access arrangements are adjustments that can be made to support these pupils. We must consider whether any of our pupils will need access arrangements before we administer the tests. Access arrangements should be based primarily on normal classroom practice and they must never provide an unfair advantage. The support given must not change the test questions and the answers must be the pupil s own. Continuous Assessment identifying the gaps and helping to close them Focused (timed) arithmetic lessons Focused GPS lessons (Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar) Guided and Independent Reading Writing Assessments carried out regularly pupils involved in this process Practising previous SATS papers Teaching test techniques and vocabulary Home Learning to support teaching & learning in school Booster groups and intervention groups Early nights and lots of sleep Good attendance Good punctuality A good breakfast every day Throughout the year, we recommend A positive attitude - encourage your child to embrace the mistakes that they make and to learn from them Lots of praise and encouragement Balance CGP Revision Guides Resources to help at home http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revision/ BBC BiteSize - This is an excellent site, providing revision help for KS2, KS3, KS 4 and KS5. This covers all subjects through activities and tests. http://www.icteachers.co.uk/children/children_sats.htm ICT Teachers - A wide range of KS2 SATs questions, from both past papers and their own team of teachers. http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/revision/index.html Revision pages at Woodlands Junior School. These revision pages support the work they do at Woodlands Junior School. They have been put together for their students to help them with their revision. Included are some sample questions taken from past Key Stage 2 SATs papers, as well as a whole host of interactive tests/quizzes. http://www.compare4kids.co.uk/literacy.php Literacy Bootcamp Lots of useful activities and videos to support grammar revision. 6
Fun, enjoyable and ready. Reduce anxiety show their best. Secondary ready. Any concerns or questions, please contact your child s teacher. 7