We do them over 3 weeks, mornings only - half a class at a time, some children in smaller groups than that. We do them in classrooms, with their normal class teacher - and in the case of the maths papers with an extra reader where required. We say we are doing some quizzes or challenges (they are used to the term challenge as we do chilli challenges throughout the year in our ordinary lessons) and that they are in special workbooks. They are used to some of the formats as we have developed some of our worksheets and individual questions/chilli challenges to be in a similar format to their see in the papers.
However we have many parents - far more this year than ever before - using the terms tests, SATs and even exams to their children. We ended up having to do a shot circle time to discuss some related stuff as some children were coming in talking about them, having done a fair bit of external prep and passing on comments to other children.
We have various other enrichment activities which take place for those children not doing the papers with the class teacher. This may be additional computing, sports and dance, topic work, outdoor learning, etc. and there has been small groups guided reading, maths and english throughout too. These are supervised and delivered by HLTA and TAs, as well external agencies for things like the sport.
The new administration sets out how they should take place. We are even supposed to check 6 and 7 year olds for mobile phones! And displays such as maths vocal and number squares have had to be removed. So most children, IME, do know things are different. But we do try to ensure that different doesn't be worrying or scary, and that its nothing to get upset or bothered by.
So far the children all seem fine and unbothered by them. Can be demoralising for children tackling papers which are just beyond them - but we have, and continue to do so, encouraged them to have a go and miss questions out and move on if they need to.