So here we are- KS2 SATS Week...

[ampere]

Feeling more nervous than DS2!

He's 'borderline', particularly in Literacy. He'll be so happy if he gets a 4 (as will I!) so off he went just now with me offering my last minute bon mots ('Read carefully! Most of the answers are in the text! If it doesn't make sense, you've not read it properly' etc).

Indigo- to be fair on me I think I have had to make myself 'clear' and 'unambiguous' where I have countered other 'determined' posters be-wailing the fact that SATS are the work of the devil and shouldn't be allowed to darken the sunlit uplands of their little DC's schooling. They don't seem to understand them at all, or what they're for. They want their DC's teachers to fully accountable, and for their DC to be making measurable progress- but get all vocal when the teachers put a bit of pressure on the DC when they take the tests that prove learning has taken place!

I should add, too, that the level 6 exam(s) appear to be a new innovation- but presumably, there must be a desire out there to have the equivalent of an A* available. Maybe a response to the loud 'Our State Schools Fail The Most Able!'. Bet the secondaries are less happy, though, having to effectively demonstrate 3 levels of progress in 5 years, starting from that!

I'd be pleased if my DS were of the ability to be able to be considered for it, and, I might add, though I may well be wrong here- that the sort of DC who is considered able enough to be entered for such a test is possibly not the sort who is going to fall apart over it because they know they are already at the top of that pile, academically.

''that the sort of DC who is considered able enough to be entered for such a test is possibly not the sort who is going to fall apart over it because they know they are already at the top of that pile, academically. ''

I disagree , my DS considered able to do Level 6 but at times lacks confidence in his own ability , he has , along with his Maths group , being going over Level 6 papers and without this preparation he would fall apart . He doesn't consider himself at the top of the pile , that's indicates a type of arrogance - which he doesn't have .

Well done little Indigo. You must be so proud

I agree whoopy - DD would almost certainly have been put in for the L6 papers had they existed in her day, and would have been having panic stations and probably would have performed pretty badly on the maths as she would have thought she couldn't do it.

Yes SATs preparation is just maths and literacy, but having seen 3 DCs go through this, year 6 is extremely dull and repetitive for about 6 months.

I am not against all testing of children, but I seem to remember very little preparation for any end of year tests, even at year 6, and my school fed a comp with streaming. The teacher's assessment was very important in your last year of juniors, but the testing seemed much more about what you had picked up through the year generally and was much broader. I really don't remember any practice papers.

I just feel that this is the down-side to SATs - it spoils what should be a great last year at primary, not through the tests themselves but the very narrow teaching for a large proportion of the year.

After SATS and half term the Year 6 , although still working whilst at school , will be off to France for a week, lots of fun trips going on , having science week with field trips - they will remember this 'fun ' stuff and the memory of SATS will be long gone ans the memory of YR6 will be just the fun times.

indigo and for later !!!

One of ds's best friends is a maths wizard- and completely threw ds and another couple of classmates over dinner last night by saying "I'm glad there was an algebra question- I love algebra"!

Ragwort.

Sealed envelopes, lock and key until an hour before the tests, but no one is allowed to let pupils see them in advance/know content. I never had time to look at them prior to test! Too much else to do.

I think there is definitely too much pressure around SATs. I hated SATs when I was teaching. I was pressured to teach to SATs but refused (too many 'sheep' around in schools and too many bullies in high places).

I think over practice is counter-productive (all work, no play etc.) Did try to work on putting useful strategies in place during the course of the year, but through fun activities. My classes levels did not suffer!

PS I'm not missing SATs at all. Another friend who's an ex-teacher, is planning to be travelling around the world with her kids when it's their turn!!

Indigo your experience of y6 is similar to mine.

I feel that my son has really grown up this school year and is ready for secondary school too.

He is not stressed at all as he knows that unlike GCSEs this is about schools and teachers being judged and not him. He has been spooked when I've asked him questions like how many marbles did you get? or how many grams of birdseed?

Hope some readers/invigilators come on later and tell us how maths B seemed. My ds seemed quite confident yesterday, as did his class-mates. No meltdowns. The teachers on the tes forum seem pleased with the tests themselves.

I'm still a bit concerned about the L6 papers, though. I don't think they have taught the dc enough of the additional stuff to make a pass likely. I have downloaded a maths past paper and marking scheme and will have to try and bribe ds to do some work at the weekend. I feel that as he has been entered for this (and apparently they do have to do it once they've been entered) he's jolly well going to stand a chance. He's a secure L5 normally, but not a 5A+ like one of his friends.

Anyone else in the same boat?

simbo....ellen will hopefully be on later....she keeps us updated.

How/where do you download L6 maths from ? I would love to know what it looks like thanks

bizzey - go to freepastpapers.co.uk. They ask for a donation but I have just printed off the 2002 maths one. If you are doing this I think it important to print out the answer/marking booklet as well, because it shows you what kind of workings they are looking for, as well as giving you the answers if you don't know them. I just wanted a paper so that I could try and see what type of questions ds cannot answer, and to get an idea whether he could pass by missing them out.

Thanks simbo Ihad a quick look as I am low on paper to print.....wish i hadn't noww!!

I got a massive ticking off last night for not being positive enough about DD2's chances of getting L6 maths.
She was very cross with me.

I can't win because if I say it'll be fine and it isn't. She'll be mad at me too!

Basically I wish they weren't doing it because it's a massive cheat. It's all been done in breaks and afterschool club. It's not the level they were working at in class at all.

It's because OFSTED are on their backs about results.
A secure L5 and a good score in the numeracy CAT at the start of Y7 would serve DD2 almost as well and be much less stress.

I'm still not sure if she is/isn't doing the L6 reading, she thinks she is. I'm not bothered she's been a L5 for ages and almost every merit cert. she's ever got is for literacy. (Too many English genes from DHs parents).

Oh and Hugs to haunted and her DtDDs

And to indigos DS.

Good luck to everyone doing science on Friday and L6 next week.

Seahouses etc, Fallen Madonna pretty much points out why these SATS can matter and the flaw in the system here:

*Therefore, in your example, the less able child with the higher level would be judged against a higher final grade than the more able child with the lower level, yes. No matter how unsatisfactory that might be.

That is not necessarily how we set the students, or teach them, but it is ulimately how we are judged.*

We take attainment to mean ability in our system. A child ending KS1 at a 3C or 3B will have teachers doing all they can to get them up to a level 5 plus. If they don't they are unfavourably 'judged'. This shouldn't ultimately limit any chid but unfortunately it can and does.

We have 'high', 'middle' and 'low' ability teaching. Read any thread on TES to see how most if not all equate attainment to ability. As most think intellect can't significantly develop, you can see the potential problems for some.

Sorry that should read we have a high, middle and low ability teaching system. So many teachers use these terms they can become entrenched IMO.

Seeker - we got dd1 a t-shirt that says 'Dear Algebra stop asking us to find your X. She isn't coming back'

I have no idea how DS2 has found his SATS. His main worry was that he wanted to go to school early as they were doing a special breakfast this week..of a highly nutritious....doughnut and hot chocolate

His only comment when i've asked him has been "fine, and the doughnut was nice and I've been good and not moaned"
I imagine when he is older the only thing he'll remember about his SATS will be the doughnut breakfasts!

DS1 has had his AS level Physics this morning. I hope it went well for him, I know he's been worried about it as his first mock result was a bit of a disaster!

Northenlurker -

Love the t shirt. Ds was cross that there was an easy way that he didn't know about that would have got him finished quicker.