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Original poster

Year 6 SATS

60 replies

KenAdams · 07/05/2023 18:02

What advice have your school given children?

Ours have cancelled all homework and are opening the school early so the children to have breakfast together which had really helped them to be more relaxed and focus on the breakfast part instead.

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 07/05/2023 18:17

We're the same, breakfast club to encourage them NOT to be late, it's amazing what the smell of toast will do to a year 6!

MaverickSnoopy · 07/05/2023 18:25

Same. No homework set and a breakfast club. They've told them to have fun this weekend. Unfortunately my dd is a ball of anger and doesn't want to come out of her room. School have spent several months putting insane amounts of pressure on them and it's stuck. Although no official homework this weekend, they've been told to practice spellings and read daily as well as practicing maths - I've said not to as her mental health is on the floor.

Rockingcloggs · 07/05/2023 18:27

I wouldn't call it advice as such, just continue with the ridiculous cramming that they've been doing since November so that the kids heads, such as my sons, are even more pressure cooker like, ready to explode. Can't wait for the whole shit show to be over, so that they can get back to Art, History, Science etc that they haven't being doing.

They've said they can have a free breakfast but that's just to make sure they're there. I've managed to get him to school on time for the last 6 years, so I will next week too without him going 45 minutes earlier.

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Hellocatshome · 07/05/2023 18:34

Haha always love it when the schools make out the free breakfast together is a fun lovely thing they are doing for the children's mental health. Its so they are not late and they cant frantically call the parents of any kids that don't turn up at the start of breakfast and if necessary the head goes and gets them.

Rockingcloggs · 07/05/2023 18:37

Hellocatshome · 07/05/2023 18:34

Haha always love it when the schools make out the free breakfast together is a fun lovely thing they are doing for the children's mental health. Its so they are not late and they cant frantically call the parents of any kids that don't turn up at the start of breakfast and if necessary the head goes and gets them.

They always share that sentimental verse too about the SATs not showing all the lovely things the kids do like being kind to friends and playing musical instruments......the same teacher has spent months breaking the kids mental health down into being nothing more than testing machines. Makes me sick.

Hellocatshome · 07/05/2023 18:39

Rockingcloggs · 07/05/2023 18:37

They always share that sentimental verse too about the SATs not showing all the lovely things the kids do like being kind to friends and playing musical instruments......the same teacher has spent months breaking the kids mental health down into being nothing more than testing machines. Makes me sick.

Show quote history

Yes because the twee little poem makes up for the months of hot housing and emotional blackmail about letting the school down.

spanieleyes · 07/05/2023 18:40

Of course it's to make sure they are in on time, given that half of them arrive half an hour early most days, many seem to dawdle in whenever they feel like it and a couple apparently think school is part time! No doubt I will be out collecting one or two who haven't quite made it in! Last year, one slept in every day!
But they do enjoy the breakfast, many of ours don't get it at home and we provide it anyway, it's just nice for them to have it all together- and we do crumpets!

Believeinmarmite · 07/05/2023 18:56

Not all schools hot house the kids! My kids school does 3 sets of practise tests throughout the year and that's about it. They have done some revision stuff in the last couple of weeks but my dd and all her friends seem totally chilled about it. The school have excellent results too.

Rockingcloggs · 07/05/2023 18:58

Believeinmarmite · 07/05/2023 18:56

Not all schools hot house the kids! My kids school does 3 sets of practise tests throughout the year and that's about it. They have done some revision stuff in the last couple of weeks but my dd and all her friends seem totally chilled about it. The school have excellent results too.

Good for your school, wish ours was the same.

It's a disgrace what they're doing to kids at ours.

Raindancer411 · 07/05/2023 19:04

Nothing special, it's a usual day

2reefsin30knots · 07/05/2023 19:05

The pressure many schools put on kids is a direct reflection of the toxic pressure Ofsted put on schools. Heads live in fear of their data dropping.

Original poster
KenAdams · 08/05/2023 08:34

Ours is an optional breakfast so you can just come in at the normal time if you want to.

No pressure from the school either although other local schools have been running Saturday revision classes! DD wouldn't cope with anything like that, the pressure would be too intense for her.

OP posts:
EnglishGirlApproximately · 08/05/2023 08:39

No pressure at all here - homework set by the teacher this weekend is to relax, do nothing school related and get a stock of sweets ready to take in to.eat during SATS. Optional breakfast club, no hothousing or twee poem - actually really pleased with how the teacher has approached it all.

mamaduckbone · 08/05/2023 12:57

Some of these responses make me so sad. I've been a year 6 teacher for a very long time, and have realised over the years that the more pressure you put on the LESS likely the children are to do well because they fall apart in the test. It seems to be the newer teachers, who are less confident, that pile it on (and those with SLT putting a massive amount of pressure on them.)

Mine have been told to relax this weekend, read over any bits and pieces that they want to, and come in at their usual time. We will do breakfast (because not all of them have it at home) and the tests will be part of our usual timetabled day. We've not dropped any other curriculum areas and we had a lovely chilled coronation party on Friday.

Summerwhereareyou · 08/05/2023 13:01

What topics are covered in sats? I thought it was just maths and English?

Iamnotthe1 · 08/05/2023 13:05

Rockingcloggs · 07/05/2023 18:58

Good for your school, wish ours was the same.

It's a disgrace what they're doing to kids at ours.

Show quote history

What exactly are they doing?

Rockingcloggs · 08/05/2023 13:57

@Iamnotthe1

So, since November they have done 2 practice tests per morning, then they will mark them and go through any answers where children are not doing well at, that takes them up to lunch time. After lunch they then 'revise'. Apparently this is all very important to do 6 months worth of because children would be 'disappointed to fail'. FAIL?!!!

Usually, on Fridays they get golden time but this has now been replaced and children can vote to do whichever other topic they would like ie History, Science, Art etc - so and I quote 'they're not missing out entirely on other subjects'. They do PE once a week.

Since January, children have been going into groups that they're good at - so mine has been going into English/spag/reading/spelling groups so that they can maximise points in the tests - that's all well and good except these groups are at dinner time! There are no intervention groups for subjects where they aren't doing so well at!

They have also been telling us, through letters since January to ensure that our children are in bed early, that we must do practice tests each night. I'll decide what my child does at home.

Their teacher is telling the children that they will 'pass' or 'fail' and if they 'fail' then they will not do very well when they go to secondary. I know this to be true, because when I queried this with her she did a little laugh and said 'it just gives them an extra little kick up the bum' - ditto for when she she told them if they didn't practice hard they might not be able to go on the PGL residential in June!

My sons teacher is in her 3rd year of teaching, her first two years were year 4, however, the head teacher retired in July and the then, experienced year 6 teacher took up the Head position hence why she is now teaching year 6 and I'm sure she wants to be seen to have outstanding results but clearly doesn't give a shit about the damage she's doing to young minds whilst doing so.

PenelopeTitsDrop3121 · 08/05/2023 14:07

My daughter has been extremely anxious about the SATS. Teacher really has been putting pressure on. I keep telling her it's tests to see how well the teacher has done her job and not what she can do. Also said no future employment will ask what her SATs results are as they're not important.

Iamnotthe1 · 08/05/2023 14:10

Rockingcloggs · 08/05/2023 13:57

@Iamnotthe1

So, since November they have done 2 practice tests per morning, then they will mark them and go through any answers where children are not doing well at, that takes them up to lunch time. After lunch they then 'revise'. Apparently this is all very important to do 6 months worth of because children would be 'disappointed to fail'. FAIL?!!!

Usually, on Fridays they get golden time but this has now been replaced and children can vote to do whichever other topic they would like ie History, Science, Art etc - so and I quote 'they're not missing out entirely on other subjects'. They do PE once a week.

Since January, children have been going into groups that they're good at - so mine has been going into English/spag/reading/spelling groups so that they can maximise points in the tests - that's all well and good except these groups are at dinner time! There are no intervention groups for subjects where they aren't doing so well at!

They have also been telling us, through letters since January to ensure that our children are in bed early, that we must do practice tests each night. I'll decide what my child does at home.

Their teacher is telling the children that they will 'pass' or 'fail' and if they 'fail' then they will not do very well when they go to secondary. I know this to be true, because when I queried this with her she did a little laugh and said 'it just gives them an extra little kick up the bum' - ditto for when she she told them if they didn't practice hard they might not be able to go on the PGL residential in June!

My sons teacher is in her 3rd year of teaching, her first two years were year 4, however, the head teacher retired in July and the then, experienced year 6 teacher took up the Head position hence why she is now teaching year 6 and I'm sure she wants to be seen to have outstanding results but clearly doesn't give a shit about the damage she's doing to young minds whilst doing so.

That's horrific but I don't understand how that's even possible: they'd need hundreds of SATs tests. There are only 6 sets available. Even if you bought all of the ones made by companies like CGP, you'd still not have enough.

There's also so much content in the Y6 curriculum still to cover. Y6 isn't a revision of Y3-Y5. If you don't cover it all, you will never score highly on the papers anyway. Then there's writing: you need to have developed their written ability and produced 6 strong pieces for moderation. After all, writing isn't assessed by exams.

I'm not saying this isn't happening but I am saying that it wouldn't work to achieve what they are trying to do. Equally, a visit from Ofsted this year would completely destroy the school as they'd want to see the work from other subjects. Why haven't the parents kicked off and raised it higher?

Hellocatshome · 08/05/2023 14:10

Rockingcloggs · 08/05/2023 13:57

@Iamnotthe1

So, since November they have done 2 practice tests per morning, then they will mark them and go through any answers where children are not doing well at, that takes them up to lunch time. After lunch they then 'revise'. Apparently this is all very important to do 6 months worth of because children would be 'disappointed to fail'. FAIL?!!!

Usually, on Fridays they get golden time but this has now been replaced and children can vote to do whichever other topic they would like ie History, Science, Art etc - so and I quote 'they're not missing out entirely on other subjects'. They do PE once a week.

Since January, children have been going into groups that they're good at - so mine has been going into English/spag/reading/spelling groups so that they can maximise points in the tests - that's all well and good except these groups are at dinner time! There are no intervention groups for subjects where they aren't doing so well at!

They have also been telling us, through letters since January to ensure that our children are in bed early, that we must do practice tests each night. I'll decide what my child does at home.

Their teacher is telling the children that they will 'pass' or 'fail' and if they 'fail' then they will not do very well when they go to secondary. I know this to be true, because when I queried this with her she did a little laugh and said 'it just gives them an extra little kick up the bum' - ditto for when she she told them if they didn't practice hard they might not be able to go on the PGL residential in June!

My sons teacher is in her 3rd year of teaching, her first two years were year 4, however, the head teacher retired in July and the then, experienced year 6 teacher took up the Head position hence why she is now teaching year 6 and I'm sure she wants to be seen to have outstanding results but clearly doesn't give a shit about the damage she's doing to young minds whilst doing so.

When my son did his SATs a few years ago now he was also constantly told by hi teacher he would 'fail' the tests. We had to complain to the head about the language she was using as SATs are not a test you can fail.

His friend who came from a home where his single mum was on benefits and had multiple partners and was seemingly constantly pregnant was asked by the same teacher "do you want livening benefits all your life like your Mum?"

We complained about that as well. The teacher later left although we obviously don't know why.

I dont think there are any winners when it comes to SATs.

LER83 · 08/05/2023 14:26

No idea! Dont give 2 hoots about SATS, so my dd knows she is under no pressure from us at home, so is chilled out (she is fully aware that once she is in secondary school tests/exams are important). Thankfully their school doesn't go OTT with them like some do. I know each afternoon the teachers plan to do fun, interactive revision, and on Friday they are taking them to the local country park when they are all finished to have ice cream and play games.

DiscoStusMoonboots · 08/05/2023 14:48

Rockingcloggs · 08/05/2023 13:57

@Iamnotthe1

So, since November they have done 2 practice tests per morning, then they will mark them and go through any answers where children are not doing well at, that takes them up to lunch time. After lunch they then 'revise'. Apparently this is all very important to do 6 months worth of because children would be 'disappointed to fail'. FAIL?!!!

Usually, on Fridays they get golden time but this has now been replaced and children can vote to do whichever other topic they would like ie History, Science, Art etc - so and I quote 'they're not missing out entirely on other subjects'. They do PE once a week.

Since January, children have been going into groups that they're good at - so mine has been going into English/spag/reading/spelling groups so that they can maximise points in the tests - that's all well and good except these groups are at dinner time! There are no intervention groups for subjects where they aren't doing so well at!

They have also been telling us, through letters since January to ensure that our children are in bed early, that we must do practice tests each night. I'll decide what my child does at home.

Their teacher is telling the children that they will 'pass' or 'fail' and if they 'fail' then they will not do very well when they go to secondary. I know this to be true, because when I queried this with her she did a little laugh and said 'it just gives them an extra little kick up the bum' - ditto for when she she told them if they didn't practice hard they might not be able to go on the PGL residential in June!

My sons teacher is in her 3rd year of teaching, her first two years were year 4, however, the head teacher retired in July and the then, experienced year 6 teacher took up the Head position hence why she is now teaching year 6 and I'm sure she wants to be seen to have outstanding results but clearly doesn't give a shit about the damage she's doing to young minds whilst doing so.

This is awful and I don't know how that teacher/school is getting away with it. I'm a Year 6 teacher and I have tried my hardest to diffuse the stress year after year. Last week, the kids were dead on their feet after such a prolonged period of revision (not my decision to do this, and I approach it with a very light touch). I scrapped a good 25% of the revision lessons they were supposed to have in favour of word and Maths games etc to try and inject a bit of fun into proceedings.

I cannot wait for this week to be over, and shall be spoiling my class rotten at the end of it.

cansu · 08/05/2023 15:03

The children I teach have had the same half hour homework they have had all year. I have told them to not worry and just do their best. I have never experienced this frenzy of abuse and pressure that is described on mumsnet and I have worked in many places.

toomuchlaundry · 08/05/2023 15:11

As a school governor one role was to check that Y6 had a full curriculum throughout the year, no subjects should be dropped for SATS preparation

Original poster
KenAdams · 09/05/2023 19:44

Today seemed relatively smooth, only 45 mins. Think the longest one is tomorrow, one hour.

OP posts: