to ask how important the SATs are for the CHILD (not the school)

[Butchmanda]

I know SATS are massively important for the school, and it piles ridiculous amounts of pressure on the teachers etc etc. Quite aware of that and I know teachers have a tough job etc etc. Not denying it for a moment.

BUT how important are the Year SATS to the child? Do the results stay on their record forever? Do the secondary schools have to take notice, or is it entirely up to the individual school? (I know that at the school my son is going to, they do tests in English and Maths for streaming after the first half term anyway, and then retest every term).

I'm wondering about the ramifications of taking my son out of the SATs. If it's even possible. I don't want to damage his future but, equally, I would like to make a stand over the current nonsense and spare him the stress (although he would still have to go to school, and therefore would do the work all the same, even if some of it seems to be of dubious use for future). I don't want to use him as a political pawn if it'll affect him but I do feel (as with many other shit things in this country) that it's about bloody time people started taking a stand.

This is not a teacher or school-shaming post, I'd just like some information - not even opinions, just facts from people who might know or have done the same.

Thanks

Countess, ds1 actually was quite happy and made huge strides in maths (temporarily). But the point was that after early May they did zero Maths so he went into secondary at a disadvantage to those kids who's schools had a more balanced approach.

It’s interesting that it’s a big deal for schools, which is passed on to the children, but us parents aren’t clear of the actual relevance of them.

I understand it from the schools perspective (am
Involved and seeing the problems it’s creating) and it pushes the children (we don’t adopt an ‘all or nothing’ high pressure environment but we do ensure the children understand what they are learning before we test them formally).

I’m going to take the question into school and get some clarity so if parents should ask we can be clear. I’d like to stop the ‘its For the school not the child’ approach and show how, with sensible support from the school, it supports the child’s learning.

Also a very good point about learning stopping after the tests are done, creating a wider gap until The start of Year 7.

Thanks OP, this thread has given me a lot of food for thought.