Calling year 6 teachers re dyslexia and handwriting

[UniversalTruth]

I can't seem to find a definitive answer on whether not using joined up handwriting for SATs papers will mean my ds can get 'meets expectations' on his SATs in year 6.

Can anyone shed light? I'm really not that fussed about what result he actually gets but I know local secondary schools do initial setting based on them, and school are not supporting moving to print writing even though he can't read his own writing.

Bumping for when teachers might be around...

My dd is not dyslexic but has dyspraxia making her handwriting very difficult to read. She will be using a scribe (person to write for her) in her sats. School suggested this as a way of getting her the results she deserves. She also uses a school laptop to type her English assignments in class.

Thanks @WeWillRockyou. I've been told my ds wouldn't qualify for a scribe but I don't know why - I'll put it on my list of things to find out and discuss with the SENCO.

There are no marks for handwriting in the grammar, reading or maths papers. No extra marks are given for joining and none are lost for not.
I think there is a handwriting element to writing levels, which are teacher assessed, but definitely not on the test papers.

If your child doesn't have a scribe then his paper can be transcribed afterwards. Basically someone sits with him after the test and writes above what has been written if it's illegible.

When he gets to secondary, he can print if that's easier for him. In my school, we don't set in year 7

Has he been formally assessed for SpLDs or has the school just screened him? My DS didn't achieve expected for writing but had his SATS papers transcribed and in the end got a low pass for SPAG and very high passes for Reading comp and Maths. He had a really good teacher in Year 6 and formal diagnoses of dyslexia and dyspraxia which helped.

Should be fine on the actual papers - on the grammar paper there are some stipulations on handwriting e.g. capital letters easily distinguishable to prove that they can use them correctly, so lowe case p can't sit above the line etc. I even tell my kids not to join on the spelling part as sometimes that can make their letters ambiguous!

However, with the writing levels which are teacher assessed (sometimes moderated), there is a criterion around joined handwriting. It can be waived in some special circumstances if every other descriptor is met, but the only time I've seen this happen is e.g. where a child broke their arm in the summer term and had to write with their other hand or something. Quite often when children don't join there is something else "missing" such as spelling or clear punctuation etc which means they can't meet the expected standard. Not saying it couldn't happen but if the teacher was moderated they could have a bit of a battle!

Thanks everyone who has posted.

@spanieleyes thanks I'll ask about that

@MrsHamlet so remind who the government insist on this set of exams <face in hands emoji>

@Jenn3112 yes he has a dyslexia diagnosis and the assessment report says he should use a laptop where possible and consider print writing.

Thanks @Bootoagoose123 useful info.

I think we'll push for print even if he gets marked down in writing SATs, as he needs to be able to read what he's written and like said he, I think it'll make his grammar more distinguishable.

No, you cannot meet the expected level in writing without joining.

And what is the rationale?

@UniversalTruth I examine GCSE. It's utterly nonsensical that you can't get "expected level" at KS2 without joining. If we can read it, you can get full marks, joined or not.

If he has dyslexia then he has a disability and the school need to make reasonable adjustments in order for him to access the exams. This should include extra time and appropriate equipment as recommended in his assessment report. Have a chat with the SENDCO.

@MrsHamlet I suspected nonsensical.

@shivermetimbers77 it seems everyone needs to make reasonable adjustments except the Department of Education.