SATs yr6 level 6 - any negative aspects?

[YoullLikeItNotaLot]

My DC'steacher suggested DC should do the L6 SATs exams for all subjects. DC is happy to do this, so we agreed even though from what I gather the only possible advantage to my DC is maybe being put into a top set sooner at non-selective secondary school. I think there could be an element of pride too as DC didn't get into the local super-selective - just froze on the day and didn't answer many of the questions.

What I didn't ask his teacher though as I've only just thought of it is whether there are any potential negative aspects of trying for but not reaching L6. I remember when I did Gcse maths, I opted for the middle papers which capped my grade at C as I reasoned doing the higher papers was a risk as I'd never have got an A so didn't think it was worth risking a safe C on the middle papers for a possible B on the harder papers. I'm just wondering whether the SATs are the same - whether anything other than pride is risked by doing the L6 papers?

Or are they completely separate additional papers?

Given that DC froze on the day of the super selective exam, I actually think it would be beneficial to do the L6 papers to show exams are not something DC should be worried about but I might rethink if there is any "risks" I haven't considered.

Additionally, I'm not sure I fully trust the school's motives. They have gone from grade 1 to grade 2 as the poor results at the time of inspection were but down to a blip, but the last couple of years seem to show it is more of a downward trend (admittedly from a VERY high starting point so I suppose only way was down?). I can see why the school would want DC to do L6. DC is the only one in the year who'd be doing L6 for everything - others would be doing one or two so I'm fairly sure they're not Willy nilly pushing kids into L6, but something is niggling me. Not sure what though.

Your thoughts/assurances/dont be dafta are most welcome!

[theknackster]

The 'policy' we're taking re: Y6 sats with DS1 is that they're something the school cares about, but we don't and he shouldn't. I'd let the school select what papers your DC sits, but work on DC to de-stress the whole event (the school will be doing the opposite of course ).

My understanding of secondary schools and Y7 is that they don't trust the Y6 sats results (the reasoning being it's beneficial for the primaries to inflate the Y6 sats results for better 'value add' scores), and will re-test the Y7 cohort before setting/streaming - others will know better, however!

[YoullLikeItNotaLot]

Yes knackster that's pretty much what we're doing - acknowledging it's for the school's benefit although appreciating it might boost DC after not doing very well in the entrance exam but no tangible benefit, so good to hear I haven't misunderstood that.

Im just hoping it's risk free too - no negative impact that I'm unaware of. It's not a case of L6 or nothing is it?

[theknackster]

From a quick internet search (eg: www.theschoolrun.com/level-6-sats-explained) it appears to be an extra paper, so no, it's not level 6 or nothing.

As to the negative impact - the fact that your DS is considered L6 standard should be the only message you all take from the process, I wouldn't worry about the actual result on the day!

[YoullLikeItNotaLot]

Ah thank you. Questions pretty much answered.

Thanks again.

[spanieleyes]

To achieve level 6 a child first has to achieve level 5 on the "standard" paper and then pass the level 6 paper too. If level 5 isn't achieved then whatever the result of the level 6 paper it doesn't count!

[amidaiwish]

i don't believe there's any risk
i understand that level 6 is an extension paper not a different paper. am i right?
so if you are sitting level 6 you sit the level 5 paper and then the L6 paper. if you do badly on the level 5 paper, the level 6 paper is discounted.

it's much easier to get L6 on maths and spag then on english. a very small number last year got L6 english.

i am going down the route of "it doesn't make any difference at all" to dd. of course her teacher is already going on about working hard for your SATS. arghhhhh

[AmberTheCat]

No, no real risk. They're completely separate papers, and you have to sit the L3-5 test to be able to take the L6 one in the same subject. I guess the only small risk is that your DC is more tired as a result of sitting more tests, so doesn't do as well on the L3-5 paper as they might otherwise, but I don't think that's too much of a risk.

Def worth encouraging an attitude of 'give it a go and see what happens, but it doesn't matter at all if you don't pass', though, especially with the L6 reading paper, which has had a pass rate that rounds down to 0% for the last couple of years!