Does anyone know roughly when schools do the ks1 sats?

[MissWimpyDimple]

DDs dad is insisting on taking her out of school for a weeks holiday in March. I can't stop him (I've tried).

On balance I know it's not going to massively effect her education but as she is yr2 I know they will do some sats papers at some point in the next few months.

Is there a chance she'll miss them? I really don't want that she is a reasonably good student, but not exceptional and I just want her to do the best she can. She changes schools in September so I'm aware that the Sats scores will be the main marker she takes with her.

Hi MissWimpyDimple:

Talk to the school but from a number of discussions here it is clear that there is no fixed point when KS1 SATs might occur. Our school is very traditional and goes for having KS1 sit them same time as KS2 (KS2 dates info here: www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/assessment/keystage2/b00208296/ks2-2013)

KS1 SATs are teacher assessed and also include continuous assessment of work during school year.

So my feeling is you should relax - it is very unlikely that week in March is going to result in your child missing KS1 SATs. Also think logically - although it helps the school to know your child's KS1 SATs and is something progress is tracked against - it really makes absolutely no difference on the ground to your child. They know what they know and are learning as they learn and will continue to do so.

However, what you and your ex? partner do need to look into is what are the school rules about taking holidays during term time. In the state sector rules have become much tighter and absences during term time are only allowed for exceptional reasons. Therefore, taking a holiday in the middle of term could result in a fine of something on the order of £60 a day for an unapproved absence.

I think as you clearly are uncomfortable with this holiday - you need to make it clear that any court appearances, fines, etc... are your ex partner's legal responsibility - with both the school & your ex-partner.

However to be honest I think you have to relax about the 'massiveness' of the negative affect on her education. If in fact your DD is going on holiday somewhere which will be enriching then in the scheme of things this may be very useful. It's one thing to read about a volcano and another to walk around one in person. It's one thing to read about Greek Gods and myths and another to visit temples, museums and historic sites. It's one thing to learn french in an after school club and another to speak it all week at a ski resort.

HTH

My dd was in yr2 last year - think her sats were the last week before may half term. Hers took the form of teacher assessments so weren't an exam paper on a specific day. They also take into account the rest of the term/year's work so if they are having an off day/week the teacher can use their discretion. I wouldn't worry about a week off in March to be honest and as other poster said, it is more for the school's/ofsted's benefit than you or your daughter's.

Ours are May.

Thanks. Yes it's something he has done each year so far. Last year he got permission so I was less fazed but I know he won't get it this year.

I will definitely be making the school aware that this is against my wishes, and he knows that too. They are going skiing so although it is enriching in its own way it's not exactly educational as such.

There are other motives behind this from his side. But I would out myself massively if I explained them . Suffice to say this is the last time it's likely to happen (thankfully).

Next week.

Wow, ipadquietly! Have your papers arrived yet, because mine haven't? (IIRC they are due to arrive sometime next week????) I will be starting some subjects just before half term, but last year I was thinking I'd have change my plans as their arrival was very last minute.

I checked yesterday and my papers haven't arrived yet. I am going to follow the advice of the LA Maths and Assessment Advisors and do my level 2 Maths paper next week (so I can use the results to inform future teaching). So my children will be doing it on a photocopy. Then I'll have this year's papers ready for when I do them early next year!!

But in answer to the poster above - in the very unlikely event that her DD misses doing the paper with the rest of her class, she can do it another time. The clear advice from my LA is that the papers are a waste of time - they are all available on line and there is no way of knowing which children have done them at home or not. However, the Government states that children do have to do them at some point in the year so it might as well be sooner rather than later so the teacher gets some use from the results. Also, with Maths it's possible to get a level 2 on shape, space & measure questions (I'm told) and so not actually be able to add or subtract. So every school I know of uses other tools to determine the level the child is at, and then uses the SATS paper as icing on the cake to support the decision. Year 2 assessment is continuous - not based on performance on 1 paper at 1 point during the year.

We just photocopy them...

Can I ask where those paper may be available online please?

Why, IDUAD? Are you a teacher or parent? If you are a parent please don't start doing practise SATs papers or use them to second guess the teacher, just because your child gets a particular score or grade at home doesn't mean they meet the criteria against full assessment methods to be awarded that level. If they need practise in paper layout and style the teacher will do it.