Why did schools/parents even tell the DC about the tests?

[mrsgiraffes]

I know many schools decided not to even mention the SATs word, and so the children didn't even realise they were sitting a test. Result - perfectly happy, non-stressed children.

Then OTOH you have reports of children being sick with nerves, crying, and panicked.

Which makes me wonder, why didn't more schools follow the option of not saying a word about them? DH asked me this last night and I didn't know what to say. It makes sense, doesn't it?

[AChickenCalledKorma]

I can only speak for my own children's school but as far as I can see they actually saw it as a golden opportunity to "motivate" the children, by threatening dire consequences if they didn't knuckle down and cram in all the learning they failed to do last year (when they had a succession of temporary teachers and everything went to pot).

As a parent, I only started talking about SATs when it became clear that DD was believing the rhetoric and needed a bit of perspective.

[BertrandRussell]

My sil was a primary teacher in the early days of SATs. She told her year 2s that they were doing secret work for the government and made them mysterious badges to wear that they were forbidden to tell anyone else about, and they had secret meetings with biscuits...

[TeenAndTween]

Presumably you are talking about not mentioning y2 tests which can happen any time this month?

Most of the media attention this week has been around the y6 tests which are happening right now. You can't help mentioning them to y6.

With y2, in the past they could be not mentioned. Now, in the test instructions they have to be told at the time that they are doing the SATs. They are also harder than in the past and more formal (e.g. covering helpful posters in the classroom).

Though I agree, some parents (WHY?) and schools hype up both y2 and y6 SATs unnecessarily.

(y6 parent at a sensible school)

[exLtEveDallas]

DD has been talking about SATS herself since Year 4. When she was in Year 5 she could see the Year 6's going through it because they had a composite class. Before she started Year 6 she was well aware she'd be having to do them.

Plus, she watches the news (at 6 as well as Newsround), goes on the Internet, has friends, has friends with teacher parents - plus (of all ridiculous things), she has her own Amazon account - When she looks for "children's books age 9-11" books come up aimed at KS2 Maths, KS2 literacy, 11+ and KS2 SATS.

I would be very sceptical of a parent or teacher who says their Year 6er is unaware. Unless you homeschool that's pretty impossible.

[harryhausen]

Dd Y6 is sitting SATS this week. They are so different, with new terminology, different curriculum, different style, different levels altogether that they gave had to have been 'learning' this stuff since September. No time for anything else. It's impossible not to tell them or fir them to not know about it??

My dd did his Sats in Y2 a few years ago. Indeed, he had no clue and neither did I.

Totally different this year (y6 at least)

[harryhausen]

My dd11 also watched the news with me, even rads the papers etc.

[Fragglewump]

errrr.....the way that the children have to sit SATS is totally unlike anything else that happens in school - e.g separate desks, sitting in silence, closely timed, no help or surgeries so the children know that its something radically different to normal.

[FarAwayHills]

You can dress it up it and call it what you like but kids are not daft. Sitting in silence, working through a long booklet in a classroom with all displays covered up and no help from the teachers. I think they will figure it out