SATS support thread for parents

[simpson]

As yr6 SATS start tomorrow, I thought it might be a good idea to start a support thread for parents to say how their DC are finding them.

DS has had a very chilled day due to the lovely weather: loads of water fights and he walked to the corner shop with his younger sister for the first time (with no adult) and loads of ice cream etc.

He went to bed very chilled but am sure the nerves will kick in in the morning!!

Ds found today's test much easier than yesterday. He found it more straightforward than the sample paper and past papers he has done. All the kids looked a lot happier!

I'm glad DC's seem happier today . DS is fine, said it was ok. I'm not going to question him further! He couldn't remember any of yesterday's paper by 7pm last night . He's happy but tired and just wants to chill out, which is fine by me.

LtEve - glad your DD was better today. I remember us being on the same thread when our DC were about to start primary school, scary how time has flown

Member - ditto with DS! Although he did think he had got the word wrong (he had!) he hasn't said much but declared it much easier than yesterday!

It really is Simpson. I can't believe that I'm nearly mum to a teenager (and going on her attitude these days I'm closer than I thought!). Thank you

So glad today has been better.

DSD and DSS seem more relaxed tonight.

for us all and for all our wonderful DC and DSC.

So glad today was a bit better ltEve.
My DD is happier today. She finished the paper which is progress from yesterday!
She's looked at some maths and is now chuckling away to her friends on her phone. Just as she should be.
Half way ........

My yr 6 DS also reported today was much easier. But he's not great at comprehension and is naturally gifted speller, so that makes sense.

My DD was much happier today too, she won't have done great at spelling but knew that, she found this one easier than the practice/sample, 2 more days!

Does anyone know when we get the results of these tests?

I think we get the results in July, Strix. Unless they manage to cock up that too.

Oh I hope not! Seems enough bumps in the road have been had.

Gov uk says:

Key stage 2 tests
We will publish KS2 test results on the NCA tools website in July 2016. Each pupil registered for the tests will receive:
a raw score (number of raw marks awarded)
a scaled score
confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard

We will also publish conversion tables on GOV.UK at the same time.

So I don't think there will be any getting away from giving kids their 'pass'/'fail'. Fucking awful. Imagine the last day of primary school being told 'you're not ready for secondary school'. What do you do then?! Buy a place at some Bastard Academy Summer School I wonder?

What is a 'scaled score'?

According to a post on another forum the SPAG was 'easy' as her DD said and that the spellings were straight forward also. That's just one opinion though.

That's pretty much what my dd said. She certainly seemed much happier than yesterday.

My DS will want to know the result. He comes home after any test/assessment and tells me who had the top scores, what the scores were and where he ranks. He isn't stressed about it. He just has a love of numbers and he files away everyone's success by numbers.

I expect he'll do fine on maths tomorrow.

I think a scaled score probably means they will apply raw scores to a bell curve. But I could be wrong.

DS will want to know his results too (I know I don't have to tell him!)

His school report usually comes out a week before the end of term so I reckon that kids will all want to know.

The harsh reality is that now, life is harder and more unfair than it was a generation ago. The whole world is geared towards such unfair tests and unfair disadvantages. There is no point complaining.

The only harsh reality that I'm aware of is the fact that we're seeing a worrying increase in the number and severity of mental health problems among children and young people.

I don't think that putting children under huge amounts of pressure and setting them up to fail at the age of 10/11 will help to address that problem, and so there is every point in complaining.

My own dd is very fortunate. She is very academic and she will meet the required standard in these tests. She is also quite laid back and relatively resilient. She knows I'm not really bothered about the results in any case. So she has been taking the SATS in her stride so far.

But some children may be much more prone to anxiety and stress than my dd. Some will be concerned about the expectations of their parents or the school. Others will find the tests much harder. And some might just find it harder to bounce back when things don't go to plan.

No, these kids aren't starving or destitute, and yes, there are much worse things that could happen, but I simply cannot agree that exposing young children to such high levels of pressure and unnecessary anxiety is "character building" at all. I am a huge fan of teaching kids to work hard and persevere when things don't come easily to them, but I don't see any benefit whatsoever in eroding a child's confidence and their belief that they can succeed.

Bring on the maths! (Not)

Good luck to all yr6 kids today....

I wonder what today's scandal will be.

DO NOT POST DETAILS OF THE TEST

DooWhop I have reported your post.

confirmation of whether or not they attained the national standard

Bastards!

Morning all. DD is much better this morning, moaning about packing her netball kit rather than the SATS!

We've had one wobble because I said something stupid like "At least today is maths and there is only one right answer" and she replied "But what if it's nothing like the work we have been doing and they try to test us on algebra instead of something like fractions?" I really should have known better - but I'm not used to walking on eggshells around my own kid. She's still not the smiley kid I'm used to, but I'm sure she'll be back to normal next week.

Good luck to all