Key Stage 1 SATs Parent Information Meeting

The National Curriculum

• All maintained schools must follow the National Curriculum by law.

• It consists of 3 core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and other foundation subjects.

• The National Curriculum has been designed to set clear educational targets and to provide a national framework in which children’s performance can be measured and assessed.

Measuring Success

• At the end of Key Stage 1 there is a statutory assessment of the level of achievement all pupils have reached in English, Mathematics and Science.

• In 2005 the emphasis of this process changed to place more emphasis on the teacher’s judgement of how your child has performed throughout the year and less on testing.

• Despite the change this year to the National Curriculum, Years 2 and 6 are required to administer the SATs test as they already stand.

How Your Child Is Assessed

• Children are required to carry out the national tests and tasks for their ability.

• These provide information to help the teachers with their overall assessments.

• Teachers also use continuous assessment records built up throughout the year. These include independent and guided reading records, observations, annotated planning, marking and levelling of independent class work.

Types of Tasks and Tests Mathematics • Level 1 – Practical tasks carried out in a small group with adult.

• Level 2 – Test paper carried out independently. Children can use number lines and hundred squares to support them.

• Level 3 - Test paper carried out independently.

Type of Tasks and Tests English

• Level 1 – reading tasks on a one to one basis with teacher.

• Level 2 - reading tasks on a one to one basis with teacher or independent comprehension test.

• Level 3 – independent comprehension test.

Type of tasks and tests English

• Spelling – independent test (results added to writing mark).

• Writing – Two pieces of independent writing on given genre.

Types of Tasks and Tests Science

This is entirely based on teacher assessment. Each child’s progress is continually monitored throughout the year through: • Observations during lessons.

• Analysis of a child’s independent written work.

• An independent task carried out at the end of each topic to continuously monitor their progress.

What Should I Expect My Child To Achieve.

There are four levels of achievement at this Key Stage.

• P Scales • Level 1 • Level 2 C • Level 2 B • Level 2 A • Level 3

Low level 2

Level 2 writing

• Most sentences are in the first person.

• Some chaining ideas with 'and' • Connectives 'because' and 'when' extend sentences and link ideas together • Full stops and some capital letters are used.

• 'Shocked', 'recognised' and 'needed' are effective word choices, conveying Cinderella's panic.

High level 2

Level 2 writing

• Variation of sentence openings, e.g. 'Once upon a time', 'On the way down', 'When'. • Most of the sentences used are simple or compound, with limited subordination. • Consistent use of past and present tense.

• Some use of full stops and capital letters although not consistently. Exclamation marks used.

• Opening and closing of story signalled: 'Once upon a time there was…', 'he decided he had enough of adventures'. • Simple paragraphs collect related ideas together • The story is written in a lively entertaining style.

• Vocabulary choices are appropriate and effective .

• Spelling of many content words is either phonetically plausible or correct.

Level 3 writing

• Most sentences are extended with 'and', 'but' or 'so' and there are examples of the use of adverbials to add variety and detail, for example 'When I got off I triped over a glimmering rock • A range of sentence types are used. Capital letters, full stops and exclamation marks are used correctly.

• The opening, in particular the first two paragraphs, is sequenced through the use of time connectives. • Paragraphs are used to move the story on.

• The story is interesting and engaging. The narrator is a key character in the story, and this is sustained throughout. • Vocabulary choices, particularly adjectives, are lively, for example 'glimmering rock', 'screeching noises'. Julia has also invented her own adjective in striving for an effect, the word 'glooming' instead of 'gloomy'. • Spelling is largely correct with phonetically plausible errors.

Level 2 maths

• Need to be familiar with the language of addition – sum means to add.

• Use the symbols to write out the number sentence.

• Checking their understanding of calculation.

Level 3 maths

• Need to be familiar with the language of calculations – what does altogether imply in this context?

• Checking their understanding of multiplication.

• Working out needs to show that they understand what the question is asking: 15 x 4 = 60; 15 + 15 + 15 + 15 = 60; or draw 4 circles with 15 dots in each, • Writing ‘I worked it out in my head’ doesn’t cut it!

How Are These Results Used?

The results of the Key Stage 1 SATs are used to inform the next teacher of a child’s current working level so that they can plan to meet the needs of each child at Key Stage 2.

How You Can Help!

• Read with your child daily and discuss the text.

• Support your child with their weekly spelling homework and encourage them to use their phonics when writing new words.

• Encourage your child to write – provide a reason for writing. We are giving a weekly writing activity for this purpose.

• Ask your child mental maths questions when you have a spare few moments, particularly their recall of times tables.

• Ask you child to help solve real life mathematical problems, e.g. measuring ingredients, dividing food equally, using money while shopping.

Things To Remember

• Tests will be administered over a few weeks after the half term holiday. Please do not take holiday during this time.

• We will not inform you of the exact dates of the tasks and tests as we do not wish to alarm you or your child.

• We administer the tasks and tests in a fun and friendly manner to ensure your child is unaware of the process.

Things To Remember

• If your children have questions, talk calmly about the SATs, but please do not pressurise them, as they are simply an additional assessment.

• Early nights and a good breakfast will really give their brains a boost!