To be deflated at Ds KS2 SATs results even though he passed them all....

[RockYourSocksOff]

As with maths he just got through by the skin of his teeth and I know he can do better.

I also know that even though High School do their own tests, his SATs score will be a benchmark for his future GCSEs so will stick with him throughout his time there, in some form or another.

Don’t get me wrong, I AM proud of him but the more I hear of other dc results and the more I look at the ‘raw scores’ I know he really did just about get the ‘magic’ number.

He did better in SPAG and Reading but not ‘greater depth’ better, a point off GD in reading (I think) and 2 points in SPAG (on the scaled score) although that’s depending on the score being 110 for GD.

I’ve posted on here because I want you to tell me I’m being an arse because I am but still, I can’t help the way I feel.

Those who say SATs don’t matter, well they do don’t they?

Scottish kids don't do Sats and the majority of them go on to have meaningful lives as their futures rely on the results of the exams they sit when they're 16 and 17, not the tests they sat when they were 11.

I think we should take a leaf out of Scotland’s book.

Theyre only emphasised because the governments judge schools on progress made by the kids. And individual teachers pay will depend on her kids meeting their targets.

It is a ridiculous system not fit for purpose.

Another secondary school teacher here. Gcse targets based on SATs are the Bain of our life and not only are children progress and performance at GCSE based on targets set by SATS, our performance (and progress to the next pay scale) are also based on these targets. It causes much stress for teachers and stress for kids who typically did well at Sats, arguably over performed in some cases which trigger high target grades and endless interventions when they don't meet these targets. It is by no means a decent system at all. But, I can't believe I'm saying this it is a system and for the life of me I can't think of a better one and by god I've tried !!!!

One DS didn't have SATs results as we were overseas when he was in year 6. He was put in the middle set at high school, we suppose as an average, due to lack of 'evidence' about his ability. Now in yr 10, he is excelling, with no pressure, as he didn't have his prospective GCSE grades inflated by SATs results. He's still on course for 7s and 8s at GCSE.

Other DS scored v highly in SATs, is 'on target' for very high GCSE grades and is in a higher set, but he will feel the pressure and will possibly be disappointed if he doesn't achieve his target grades.

If SATS are so important, then how come kids here in Scotland do just fine without them?

Tunnock's school's system is crazy. I agree with Cathpot.

He may start off in a lower set but he certainly won’t stay there. Once high school have tested him he will be moved. Don’t worry about that.

To be fair, I know other schools are more flexible with their setting, so don’t dispair. Honestly though, others are right, a low score means less pressure. She’ll be fine

Are the teachers posting on here in agreement that dc are better under achieving than having over inflated SATs results which will add future stress?

Ds did better in SPAG and Reading, does the same apply to these two subjects?

Even though I posted on AIBU I think you’ve all been pretty lenient, I was fully expecting far harsher posts, thank you

Re - this could shape his future - I did well at GCSE, not great at A level, got a degree & am now a high earner.

Even A levels don’t need to shape your future let alone bloody SATs’!!

I came to say what Potteringalong said. Far better to have a realistic target and spend secondary exceeding than to have high targets and he considered 'failing'. I have predicted students 7s - roughly an old 'A' grade...who are still in the red zone and failing.

In our school we do use SATS results to give target GCSE grades etc but if a child is performing much better than their targets/results indicated once they reach us then we will adjusted our expectations accordingly.

To be honest we take most information coming from primary school with a pinch of salt as few secondary subjects are taught in a lot of primary schools.

And im the opposite (although pre SATS). Amazing gcse/A level/ oxbridge degree and then left teaching!

Ha, and every other secondary teacher! I've never looked at SATs scores. It's also annoying when you get a student who has obviously been heavily coached through them but doesn't have a hope in reality of getting near their target grade. All secondary teachers hate them. They are a measure for the school's benefit not the student's.

Back in the day, DD's teacher cheated (basically told her some answers in her Maths SAT. DD got a 5, was put in top set in high school and struggled for a year until she was put down to set 3.

She then had a massive lack of confidence in maths (and not a great teacher) and required quite a lot of one on one help from me.

She ended up with a solid B which I think was a pretty good result for her.

So basically, yes, I am of the opinion that being in a set above your abilities is not a good thing.

Our school uses sats as a predictor of grades as well. Dd did averagely in her sats and the school seems amazed that she's actually pretty good at maths

I think the most worrying thing about sats (and I say this as a Scottish person) is how many English parents think their child's entire future hangs on them. Are you seriously sending your kids to secondary schools which don't adjust their targets for kids based on, you know, teaching and assessment of their work and capability in secondary? Is that actually a thing?

Not all children will have taken SATS - private schools don't do them so how does a secondary school decide what GCSE grades those children are predicted? Genuine question.

My advice is to back off. My son has improved each year through senior school with the penny really dropping at the end of year 9. He’s now predicted A’s and B’s in his GCSE’s, and he’s not overly acandemic. Don’t stress and don’t stress him, he’ll get to where he needs to be.

Ps - I did get him a maths tutor at start of Y10 though, that’s been worth every penny

Pupils have to make a certain amount of progress in highscool. This is measured by adding the appropriate expected ‘steps of progress’ onto their ks2 data. Not really accurate and a massively flawed system

My son didn't do SATS and so it really doesn't matter. So what if he gets predicted a lower grade when he's 11. If it's wrong then he can climb the grades. The information taught is the same regardless of the GCSE marker grades. Don't panic

That's not how progress is measured now. Progress is measured at the end of KS4 by comparing GCSE performance across 8 subjects with the performance of all other students with the same KS2 results. No levels of progress any more.