SATS......end of the world??

[Insanity]

it is that time of year when most threads are full of what does this SAT result mean on reports. Yes I'm interested to know if my children are doing well but surely it's more important to have a happy child who wants to be at school? Some children are naturally bright and some will have to try really hard for success.

My ds will be starting high school in Sept (sob, he's growing up!) and his SATS are set to be below average but I know he has done his best. He has been to quite a few primary schools due to husbands work commitment so this probably hasn't helped, but he is a sensible, confident, grounded and happy boy with lots of friends, and I know he will do well in life if he continues in this frame of mind.

My point being that we are told that the SATS results can predict the GCSEs results but high school has so much more to offer that it isn't the end of the world if your child isn't at the expected levels.

Never had SATS when I was a child and I've turned out alright :o

There's lots of sense being spoken in here tonight! Wine for insanity please.

Totally disagree.

Far too much emphasis is placed on kids being happy at school.

School ain't childcare.

If they don't get their GCSEs will they be happy?

Ideally you want them to be happy and do well. But if they're doing really badly - being happy doesn't compensate for it.

Indigo!! OMG!

Will your child be happy working at Tesco's or McDonalds because they can't get any other job?

I don't expect mine will.

For some children exams are not the way forward. I hope he does well in his GCSEs but I'm not going to string him up if he doesn't get A*s. I will be supportive and will make sure he studies but I won't be putting the pressure on of making him feel he needs to achieve top end results.

Good exam results may lead to University places, but there are also other ways of having a career and still being happy.

I have more aspirations than Mcdonalds for my dc but if it's the only way for them to bring in an income then I would commend them for getting off their backsides and earning some money! But funny you should mention that as I know of an older lady who had a high paid job, was made redundant, and now works Tescos as she didnt and couldn't sit doing nothing all day....no shame in that!

If his SATs are below average, I presume you mean a level 3.

That means odds are he won't pass his GCSEs at all. Odds are he won't get 5 A-C passes at GCSEs.

He might do - but statistically he's unlikely to.

This is not about whether he get's A*s or only As.

Sure some people fail GCSEs and have good careers - but again far more don't.

Nothing wrong with doing an honest job...whether it be at Tesco or Maccy D's.

My DS school report shows that he's doing really great academically at school.

He is however unhappy at school and has been for several weeks

Would I swap these two facts around? You bet!

If they don't get their GCSEs will they be happy?

If they find a path that does suit them, why not? For instance, someone who is sensible, confident and grounded may do extremely well in a practical trade even if they don't get a string of 'good' GCSEs.

IndigoBell, I'm taking it that you are highly educated and in a well paid job?

Blimey Indigo!

You have no idea what the OP DS will or won't achieve. He is Y6, for goodness sake.

Statistics tell us only some of the story. The fact that the OP sounds like she'll support her DS and love him whatever, tells me that he's going to be just fine.

Yes I am.

My point is only that you need to think if your child is likely to be happy without GCSEs.

Some people are, some aren't.

But don't think it's fine if in reality failing GCSEs would be a disaster for your child.

I have a degree and more... but I have not been greatly successful as far as 'career' is concerned or making money. Others who left school at 16 [including one of my brothers] have been thoroughly successful on those terms.
As for working in Tescos- don't see the issue.

Indigo I am getting more and more pleased you don't teach at my kids schools.
My eldest got a 3 for Literacy in year 6, he is borderline for that precious C at GCSE in English (not bad as they wanted to disapply him in year 6). If he doesn't he will be very very close to it (was 2 marks off before the final exam). He did get a 5 in Maths and is online to get A's and A*'s in Maths and Science, should also have 2 other C's, and we don't mention RE or the other subject, or his NVQ in MFL (not bad though).

However I also know people who work for McDonalds or Tescos, and have a good life. One of my neighbours son's works for Homebase and seems more content than some people I know with city jobs.

If you do badly enough at year 6 SATs you may get extra help.

Luckily, I'm not a teacher.

Sure, lots of people who work for Tescos are happy.

Just don't kid yourself about what getting a Level 3 in Y6 actually means.

The SATs are not important, except to the school. Lots of children are late developers - life would be simple if you could predict GCSE results in year 6!

I also know someone who started at Tesco by stacking shelves- straight from school- and is now in charge of training graduates.

Just don't kid yourself about what getting a Level 3 in Y6 actually means.

It presumably means a whole load of different things depending on the child. It may mean an average child who isn't happy and doesn't want to be at school or doesnt try hard. I'd worry about that child - but that's not the OPs DS.

Maybe he is below average academically, or maybe average but behind because of the moves but he is 'a happy child who wants to be at school', 'sensible, confident, grounded' ... sounds like he has good attitude.

My sister and my niece both work for Tesco. Both have A levels and are capable of more. Are they happy? Yes, actually, apart from the fact it's a sh*te company to work for in terms of shifts and part time hours.

Totally agree with exotic fruits... Most of the successful people I know in life have been under achievers academically but earn a shed load of money!!! You can't predict GCSE's in Y6!

Some people are also going to be in for disappointment if they think a good SATs result means good GCSE grades - many teenagers go off the rails - and from the best of families!

Here are the actual stats from the DCSF league tables:

6.5% of kids who get L3s (Low attainers) go on to get 5 A-C GCSEs

54.4% of kids who get L4s (Middle attainers) go on to get 5 A-C GCSEs

95.1% of kids who get L5s (High attainers) go on to get 5 A-C GCSEs

My dd has just sat her gcse's and I don't think her sat results have made a blind bit of difference to what she will achieve.

If people didn't work in tesco etc you would not eat. You should really be more respectful to those that do jobs that you deem lowly, you would find it hard to exist without them.

Back to the op, a lot of children really excel when they get to high school and as someone said some teens go off the rails so sats can't really be used as a guide imo. Sorry for muddled thread!

Oh so what! It does not matter. MY dd got level 5s across the board in year 6. Got a level 8 in her maths in year 9. But did well but not brilliantly at gcse.

It really is not that important, Indigo.

Insanity, you sound fab. I hope you ds does brilliantly in whatever he chooses in life.

If you want to believe that IndigoBell then feel free. SATs matter to the schools because of the league tables. You cannot write off a child at 11yrs old.