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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask which sats paper my child will be doing and when?

27 replies

Rosesandchocolate · 15/05/2019 17:09

My daughter is in year 2 and will be starting her sats this Friday.

AIBU asking her class teacher which subject she was being tested on And which day?

I didn’t understand her as she spoke so fast so left a note asking her to write down when she’s having her maths arithmetic, reasoning, reading paper 1 , 2 etc especially so I can help my daughter specially for that test the day before.

I just got a call from her teacher saying she’s having a reading paper on Friday, I asked her which one if it’s paper 1 or 2 as they are different so I can help my daughter with some example papers.

Her teacher just said abruptly “we aren’t saying...ok bye”

I am so baffled right now, my friends daughter is at another school and they have told parents which test they are having and what day. I don’t understand why it’s such a secret when I should know what my child is being tested on and when.

What should I do? Thinking of asking the head tomorrow? I don’t want to go above the teacher but it’s a bit ridiculous.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/05/2019 17:12

Perhaps they are trying to keep it low key and not make it a big issue for 7 year olds.

They don’t need to do any extra preparation at home

Our school doesn’t even give any dates for y2 sats. They just do them as part of the normal day so the children as as unaware as possible

CookieWarbler · 15/05/2019 17:13

At my daughter's school in year 2 they deliberately didn't tell the children or parents when they were. The children weren't aware they were even taking an exam - much the best way.
This was to stop any pressure on the kids either by the school or by parents.
Why do you need to 'prepare' her? This how exam anxiety can start.

lovelylondonsky · 15/05/2019 17:14

Why are you bothered? Just ask her when she gets home what she did!

The year 2 sats have no bearing so I certainly wouldn't make it into an issue by "preparing" her for them.

StickOfRhubarb · 15/05/2019 17:14

Schools can decide themselves for the year two SATs.

I was at at a school last week where they were supposed to be doing a test and they changed it to the next day due to staffing. So it might not be a secret. It’s just more casual. Perhaps they are concerned that if you want to practice at home, you will worry your child. Or tell her to do something in a different wat which will confuse her at the ,ast minute.

HelloDearHusband · 15/05/2019 17:15

My DC are in yr 2 and yr6 so both got sats this time.

For yr6 we were told which papers were which day. All-in the morning.

For yr2 we haven't been told. Basically it's not a huge deal for the children, they're taken in small groups to do a booklet and they don't really know they're been tested. It's more relaxed than the yr 6 ones and it could be that they're been relaxed about it all and don't know for certain which test they're doing when.

Heulog · 15/05/2019 17:15

Perhaps she thinks that extra prep at home might be counterproductive? My eldest has his 'quizzes' already, and the school downplayed them/ had a low stress approach so that the children didnt get anxious beforehand.

WanderingAimlessly · 15/05/2019 17:15

Our school has barely mentioned The SATS for Year 2. They seem to be treating them like the nonsense they are and certainly aren’t expecting children to prepare or revise. We have no idea what they are doing when and the kids hardly notice they are doing them. It’s very chilled. As it should be.

They are all still only 6&7 years old.
Kids this age should be kicking balls, riding bikes, dancing, not revising for tests and worrying about them.

Abouttime1978 · 15/05/2019 17:16

My year 2 has already done their papers.

We were explicitly told not to discuss them with the kids, and they were told it was a "quiz" and got lots of extra playtime around it, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

We weren't told when they would be, and I think that's best.

Don't stress about it, they are supposed to become non-compulsory in a couple of years anyway

DilysMoon · 15/05/2019 17:16

Ours keep it very low key in Y2 and don't even tell the kids they're doing Sats, just some special tests for the head. They don't tell parents or kids the days or what tests, the kids are oblivious. Just the way it should be imo. It's a different kettle if fish in y6 unfortunately. I wouldn't do anything, the head would be unlikely to tell you anything either it will be the school's policy not just the class teacher.

Grasspigeons · 15/05/2019 17:18

I think the school want to keep it as stress free as possible, dont want the children to know the quiz they are doing is any different from any other quiz and the last thing they want is someone preparing thier child for something they shouldnt notice is happening. I think the friends school making it too much of a thing!

Skittlesss · 15/05/2019 17:19

YABVU to push this with school and also to be “preparing” etc the night before. She’s in year two. Don’t put her under so much pressure.

I question whether SATS are actually necessary. They just cause stress to the kids, but for whose benefit are they? Especially in yr2.

My lad is taking them this year and was worried he would not be allowed into year 3 if he failed them. Sad I told him to not worry about it and that it’s just a test to see if the teachers have taught him enough or if there’s anything they can help him with and that there are no consequences for him.

MrsKCastle · 15/05/2019 17:19

They haven't told you because they really don't want you to do extra prep at home. They would much prefer if the children didn't know they were doing a test. Honestly, trying to prepare for each test the night before at age 7 is a bad idea.

BettysLeftTentacle · 15/05/2019 17:25

They don’t want to tell you so your DC isn’t put under unnecessary pressure. IMO this a good thing, it means the school handle it well and have your DC’s well-being at heart.

Why do you need to know?

kungfupannda · 15/05/2019 17:25

This is exactly why the school 'isn't saying'!

Year 2 SATS are about the school, not about the child, so there's absolutely no benefit to the children being aware they're doing tests.

DS2 is in Year 2, and until I looked at this thread, I'd completely forgotten he'd be doing SATS. That's how low-key it's been at our school.

GrandmaSharksDentures · 15/05/2019 17:27

They can be done anytime in May. My son's school is doing the final paper tomorrow.

Gilbert1A · 15/05/2019 17:36

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
Rosesandchocolate · 15/05/2019 17:55

Thank for all your replies, I’m just feeling very anxious because towards the end of 2018 so this school year my daughter had to take a long time off of school do her being very sick. She was off for 3 months. It’s honestly not to push her or make her feel worried in anyway, it’s actually to make her feel ok about it all. Her school is ‘big’ on sats and sent a letter to us which told us how important the exams are for the children’s future and that there will be no homework for a few weeks so that we can help prepare or children etc.
Thanks for your comments everyone

OP posts:
Skittlesss · 15/05/2019 18:04

Maybe they’re worried you have the papers already and will prep with those? I don’t know how “secret” the papers are, but if different schools do them whenever they like then I guess they could be leaked?

LadyRannaldini · 15/05/2019 18:07

At KS1 it seems that a lot of the 'anxiety' is created by the parents, my grandson is doing them this week and has no idea! Is the schedule not published on t'internet?

ClaryFray · 15/05/2019 18:11

Yabu,

Let her take them as they are because they don't effect her education. It's so the school can see how there doing.

Teachers are busy and stressed leading up to Sat's, don't add to it.

bridgetreilly · 15/05/2019 18:13

The exams are not AT ALL important for your child's future, and the best thing you can do for her is reassure her of that. She should do what she can, and not worry at all. The only think that might happen is that it will give her teacher a better idea of where she might need a bit more help in the future. You do not need to do any test preparation with her.

ValleyoftheHorses · 15/05/2019 18:13

In year 2 the only awareness that they are having a test should be that they get free play and a biscuit afterwards.
They shouldn’t know about it at all beforehand.

bridgetreilly · 15/05/2019 18:14

And frankly, if the school have lied and said that they are important for her future, that's what I would be taking action on now. SATS results have an impact on a school, but not on individual children and it is iniquitous for schools to shift the pressure onto children, especially KS1 children, in that way.

MrsKCastle · 15/05/2019 20:34

Y2 SATs are absolutely not important for the children's future. Their education is important for their future, yes. But SATs results tell you very little. Even the teacher assessments aren't really 'important'. I have children who are currently below expected levels, who I can imagine achieving great things because of their attitude and determination. And children who are 'greater depth' who are lazy and aren't achieving to their full potential.

And that's before you even start considering their other skills and talents. SATs don't measure who can do the best cartwheel, remain calm and solve any argument or sing beautifully.

There is so much more to these unique little people than whether or not they are 'at expected levels'.

shitholiday2018 · 15/05/2019 20:58

Yep our school deliberately doesn’t tell parents for exactly this reason. No child should be preparing for year 2 SATs. Seriously, get a grip or by GCSEs your teeth will be worn to stumps and your poor child’s Anxiety will be through the roof.