Year 6 and SATS

[Onedaughteronecat]

Are there any Year 6 parents and teachers out there? Can I ask a question? As a year 6 mum and a year 6 teacher, would you be really peed off if you found out your child's teacher was off with 'stress, depression, anxiety etc' or would you be sympathetic seeing as you work in the same environment? My DD is a mess, caused by her teacher going off sick followed by an endless stream of supply teachers. Am I being unreasonable? (not that I know the reason for the teachers absence as I don't). Year 6 is the most important year in primary school and I feel let down that her teacher, who promised us that he would get my DD to ARE by the time SATS came around, has now bowed out.

[Saucery]

It has everything to do with the arrangements for cover made by the SMT and nothing at all to do with the poor teacher who is off due to circumstances beyond her control.
Ask to speak to the Head.

[FarAwayHills]

My DD went through a similar situation in Y6. She was devastated but the school quickly put in place cover from existing staff without using subs giving stability and reassurance to parents. The HT played a big role in supporting the class and often took lessons himself. The Sats are about the schools performance so it is really in their interest to make sure the kids do well.

[Middleoftheroad]

I have two in year 6 and trying to not get caught in SATs hysteria (not the school's fault, before I get flamed).

I would only be concerned about a run of supply teachers if this was having a negative impact on my child. I would be concerned about the welfare of their teacher, however and how they are - depression/anxiety is crippling.

[FrayedHem]

DS1 is finding Yr6 miserable so I do sympathise but you're aiming your frustration at the wrong thing. Schools are under pressure to get good SATs. DS1's school had poor results and a poor Ofsted and it is all SATs SATs SATs. They are offering booster lessons and one of the subjects is being run by the Head, so I can't fault their commitment to trying to cover the unsettled Yr6 teaching. (DS1 won't be going on it as it's all just a bit too much for him).

[wineusuallyhelps]

I speak as someone who works in a school and have children around your daughter's age. I also nearly lost my partner (as in, death) because of the "stress, anxiety, depression etc" you mention, because of his teaching job.

YABVU.

But it's clear it comes from caring about your daughter.

SATS matter because the school is measured and judged on the results. League tables are published blah blah blah. So they matter to THE SCHOOL!

Not sure if they matter to the child, looking ahead to secondary school. As soon as my DCs got there, they tested them again anyway, seemingly disregarding the SATS.

If I were you I would totally chill about SATS. Jump through the hoops because you have to but it really isn't going to mean anything in a few years' time. Or even one year's time.

[CripsSandwiches]

I can understand feeling disappointed and stressed by the constant stream of supply teachers but YABVU to direct your annoyance at the Y6 teacher whose off sick. Presumably he didn't choose to be unwell (and this applies to mental illness as much as physical illness).

I do think you need to relax about SATS. They're not all that important going into secondary.

[mamaduckbone]

YABVU. I'm sure the poor teacher didn't choose to be ill just to mess your child's year up, whatever the reason.
Senior management could possibly be doing more to minimise the disruption, however.

[Monr0e]

My DS is currently in year 6. He is also getting extremely stressed with the workload and pressure being placed on him by his teacher and school re sats and preparing for them amongst other things. I have spoken to him and reassured him I don't give a monkeys how he does on the tests, it is a measure of the school not him and as long as he tries we will be happy. I've also tried to explain the teachers are also under pressure however I will not stand for him feeling bullied by them to do more and more.

I don't agree year 6 is the most important year in terms of sats, I think it is more important in preparing them to move on to secondary school.

As for teachers going off sick, it is completely understandable and I feel sympathy for the pressures and workloads teachers are currently dealing with.

Hope your DD is ok