to be annoyed that yr6's taking their SAT's...

[SOLOisMeredithGrey]

are not allowed a drink during the whole of the morning tests?

Yesterday Ds told me that they weren't allowed to take drinks in with them and when he asked for a drink during the tests(and the teacher was about to give him one)they were told that 'according to rules and regulations, no drinks are allowed', so he didn't get one. They then went outside(after an hour of testing according to Ds)and were put on the green, so didn't have access to drinking fountains. I'm really disgusted by this, but it had slipped my mind today as I meant to go up to the school to ask about these so called 'Rules and Regulations'.

I think it is totally unreasonable to expect children doing tests like this to go without a drink throughout them. Kids that are dehydrated are not going to work well.
Will also be asking Ds if the same happened again today.

So! am being unreasonable to be annoyed about this?

Maybe that's what they were doing then.There are only 11 Yr6 pupils at our school so they probably had time to have a quick read through and try and predict grades !-I don't suspect them of any wrongdoing I was just curious about how it all works !

Thank you all for your opinions etc. I am still under the impression that IANBU.

katie, there are a great many of us who are against the SATS, quite a lot of teachers went on strike to protest against them you know.

Yes the school's performance is judged by the SATS, but this is not how it should be and we get angry that their classwork, which is often brilliant, is overlooked. There are a few kids in our Yr6 who I know are brilliant and have done brilliant class pieces - but you put them under pressure with a test paper and a clock and they won't do as well at all.

If a child leaves the paper blank - and I had one who wrote one line yesterday and then put his head down and refused to write anymore - then in Yr6 that result could affect what secondary school he ends up in. If that happens and we know that child is very bright, we will contact the secondary school of their choice and do all we can to ensure they don't lose their place.

Some schools really do care about their pupils you know, it's not all about performance leagues.

Rusty - thanks. Another TA was going on about only being allowed to read the whole script once and I was worried I'd done something wrong!

I think the drink thing is a bit unfair, if they are not allowed drinks in the test fair enough but they should be allowed to get one after,

I have no real problem with my kids doing sats, I know some of the year 6s at DS2 school have got quite worked up over it, thankfully DS2 is only year 4 (although they did have to do some sat type test the other week) DS1 did great in his sats, one 4 and all 5s in the mocks and all 5s in the test, but I know one of his classmates who was a bright little boy did really badly as he panicked and got flustered, I understand this as I am useless at tests, thankfully DS1 takes after my mother and quite enjoys them .

Thanks Rhubarb ,i hadn't considered some schools might select on SATS.In our LEA we have selection testing (where applicable) in early October with non-statutory reviews in December /January and places are allocated mid march.
I can see the point of SATS as IMO there has to be some sort of objective measurable quality control in schools.It is just a shame that the pressure has to fall on the kids

I was always great in the classroom(except for maths)and crap in the tests and exams

returning to the topic of sustenance during exams...

I took 3 rounds of peanut butter sarnies into each of my A level exams!

I cannot believe how many adults DO NOT know how to look after themselves with drink, let alone the kids in their care!!! I know 2 people who have had kidney transplants & a 3rd on the list. They all know how important drink is for healthy bodily function!
I am sad to say DD did all her KS1 SATS this week without being allowed to drink.
And it's not once every few years; most schools also do all the optional papers in year 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8 too so a huge issue IMO

It's a sorry state of affairs karise and it seems that it is also more of a common occurance than I'd realised.

In our primary we have filtered water dispensers in all areas so that children can have water whenever they want. It is a requirement in my LA for water to be freely available as part of the Water provision pilot study

juuule you might be interested in www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/healthyliving/schoolfoodanddrink/drinkingwater/

The links between water, dehydration, health and learning

How does drinking water improve learning?

• The key to boosting the capacity to learn is to keep well hydrated throughout the day.
• When we are thirsty mental performance including memory, attention and concentration can decrease by about 10 per cent
• Pupils concentrate better because they are not distracted by the effects of dehydration such as thirst, tiredness and irritability
• Can aid behaviour management by helping to settle pupils in the classroom.

Children will achieve more when both their health and learning needs are met. Ensuring free access to water and promoting a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital role for schools in promoting health and providing a healthy learning environment

DD was allowed to drink through her SATs last week, except for the mental maths, just in case they dropped their bottle.
It was hardly hot last week and I very much doubt anyone was going to be dehydrated if they went 45 minutes without a drink.

45 minutes may be acceptable, but my Ds's year were made to wait double that time and have you been into a school recently? they are horrendously hot! and I found last week's weather very warm.

Well I was sitting in the office last week freezing we were asking for the heating to be put on, and DD said it was too cold for her school dress and she doesn't like being too hot, it was not that warm.

Here's a strange question. I discovered that DS (year 4) was doing some SATS this week. Or at least he says they are SATS. The thing that puzzles me, is that I didn't even know that the school did SATS (DD's didn't and doesn't). Are there any SATS in year 4? Is DS confused?

Quattro, our school does optional SATS every year in juniors. The SATS in year 3, 6, and previously 9 were the ones taken into account for league tables. But inbetween the school did them to see how they were doing. (not a teacher, perhaps someone qualified will come along with more info, but this is how I saw it)

I turned my heating off bruffin, so I know it was very warm here...perhaps you didn't have the warmer weather we did? I know you aren't so far away from me, but it was warm ~ honestly.

Oh thanks Lil. Interesting. Wonder if they will tell us any results ...

My DD has just sat SATS! They were all invited in early to have an additional breakfast (toast) before registration! then during SATS they were encouraged to have a water bottle on desk. When they had a break they were given either squash or water to drink and a biscuit or fruit.

DD felt really special and spoilt as she knows this is not the norm.

PS, glad its all over!

they share results at our school. If they don't at yours, then ask. Not sure they can keep it from you if they are storing the data (data protection act and all that) but perhaps schools are exempt?

Quatt, my DD3 will be doing "SATS" next week she is in YR4. We only find out if we write in and ask for results. Worth a try!