KS1 AND KS2 SATS

[KJPxx]

Firstly I wondered if anyone had any idea when the KS1 SATS are being held as I have simply received a newsletter stating May, and can't find the exact dates online.. Are all schools doing them on the same dates?

Also am I being overly strict removing all 'luxuries' during the test period - no TV in bed, no tablet, PlayStation/vita and no phones left in bedroom. I don't want them to feel like they're being punished but I really want them to do well for their own self esteem and my son has struggled massively (mainly extremely easily distracted) so he has worked so hard to improve in school, and I don't want the hard work to go to waste because they are distracted or not properly focused.
I would like to point out however they aren't on phones and PlayStations daily anyway, they get maybe an hour or two one or two nights through the week and maybe a couple of hours on a Sunday.

I often hear people say the tests are just a formality and while to an extent that may be true, I would hate to see my child feel down because they did not achieve what they hoped for.

My daughter is 7 and doing her KS1 tests, my son is doing his KS2 SATS

There aren't set dates at KS1 and they're only done to back up the teacher's judgements. They have to be carried out sometime during May but the lack of specific dates eliminates worry for children and parents. Schools tend to work out their own timetables in my experience and parents aren't informed. In schools I've worked in it's all been very low key and no fuss has been made in front of the children. Honestly, nothing to worry about! Hope this helps a bit!

KS1 tests can be done any time in May. Schools decide their own timetable.

Yes, I do feel that removing all luxuries is overly strict. Your daughter should barely be aware that she's taking tests, it shouldn't be a big deal at all. Your son will unfortunately be well aware of what's going on. The atmosphere in Y6 at school may well be tense and stressful. The best thing you can do is allow them both to relax at home- take the pressure off and let them know you love them and are proud of them regardless of a test score.

I speak as a current Y2 teacher who also spent many years teaching Y6.

I think it should be totally opposite from what you intend to do. Home time should be unwinding from pressure they may feel at school.

At this age if a child was feeling down because they'd not achieved what they had hoped for it would suggest someone was putting too much pressure on them.

Isn't no phones in bedrooms a good approach all of the time, especially if they are only in primary school?
All the advice I've seen about kids and teenagers use of electronics emphasises no phones or tablets in bedrooms, certainly not at nighttime.

Anyway...misses point about SATS.

The important thing is to make sure they get a good night's sleep. Then you say try your best and we'll be proud whatever.

KS2 SATs do matter, since progress measures for secondary are baselined from them. This means that under performing in y6 may affect the school noticing underperformance in secondary and interventions may not be triggered. (Over performance in SATs may also lead to impossible targets and too much pressure).

Some secondary schools also use KS2 SATs for initial setting, and some secondary schools aren't very good at adjusting sets as they go along.

No TV or phones in bed is a good idea regardless of SATs, particularly for a child who is easily distracted. I would introduce that rule now and stick to it ... not just for SATs week.

I often give them a choice of going to bed at 7.30 for youngest 8 for oldest without TV, or 7 and 7.30 with half an hour TV.. With their TV set to sleep after 30 mins.
The phone thing - I mean not using their phones other than for calls or research in the week of SATS.. I do feel the kids are under pressure but I have told them both their best try is all I hope for. I maybe did look at it the wrong way and will try and ensure balance between having the relaxation while still ensuring they feel confident with their revision.
We have been given revision booklets to be used during SATS week.. So I will allow them time to relax and unwind with their games etc for a little while after doing a little revision

Well no TV, phones, playstation etc straight before bedtime is a good habit regardless of SATS (they are likely to interfere with sleep patterns). So I would make these changes as part of your normal routine.

IMO you should carry on as normal - KS1 SATs should be invisible to the child and KS2 SATS are not so onerous as to require any special changes in routine (or revision during the week ...)

I don't think anyone has told you yet but KS2 SATS are w/c 8th May.

Yeah I know when KS2 SATS are just wasn't aware of KS1 dates.
My son has been given SATS week revision booklets with the days of the exams on them so they can revise as appropriate for whatever test they have the following day.
Like I say, the children are never allowed their phones in their rooms over night and are only allowed 30 mins TV if they go to bed 30 mins earlier than usual. My daughter sometimes listens to her cd book to fall asleep to, especially in the lighter nights and they have reasonable bed times

I agree with no TV in bedrooms at anytime, and my kids aren't allowed to take their tablets / ipods to bed either. They do however have them at weekends in the morning in bed.

KS2 in our school I feel is getting out of control. My daughter was crying last night despite have scored perfect or almost perfect scores in all of the tests they have done so far (over 10 practise papers). She is crying with boredom and says I don't want to do anymore, we aren't doing music, art, science or any of the interesting stuff. I said stick with it, only 8 school days left. I am sorely tempted to tell her to ditch all of her homework until then but she wouldn't since the school will just keep her in at playtime to complete it then.

I understand they do matter and after last years' results I am sure the teaching profession is feeling a lot of pressure.

So in answer to your question OP, yes let them relax as much as possible whilst at home!

I think KS1 sats can be done at a time suited to the individual school rather than a set week like with the KS2 sats & they really shouldn't be aware of them taking place. I'm sure your school would tell you when they plan on having them if you asked. I also have 2 kids doing KS1 & 2 sats this year & it's hard to balance getting them to do a bit of work (even though we've emphasised the not to stress) with a more laissez faire attitude.

The children have tvs in their rooms as they both have PlayStations, I never really seen TV in their rooms as a problem as it's for a limited time. They could sit on the sofa and watch TV til bed time or lie in bed and have it for half an hour.
I wouldn't allow the kids to go to bed at watch TV all night nor do they have their phones/handheld games consoles in bed. They more often than not have their bedside lamp on and read for a while before bed which is something I do most nights too.. I have took on board all of the advice and will certainly use it
I do feel schools have mounted pressure on children and I find it particularly sad at how competitive children can be too, kids are so frightened they won't do as well as others and they worry more than I expected.

We had a meeting at DD's school about the Y2 SATS and yes anytime during May.
I know of a few parents are getting their kids to do extra homework but we're not. She's done the homework set by school but at 7 they need down time. We're going to make sure she sleeps and eats well along with doing her normal activities.

Where I live I know for fact SATs make no difference to my child's secondary education.our local secondary do base line tests during year 6 inductions.SATs are so schools can be monitored for adequate improvement between year 2 and 6,and scoring poorly affects schools Ofsted visits and ratings
I personally think at this age carry on as normal and font stress yhdm more than the schools are (year 6 anyway).my son has hone from a happy boy who loves school to verging nervous wreck with school bullying year 6 kids in during Easter hols to practise testing(not mandatory but hounded us when I said no) he isn't being forced to take afterscjool boosters so is obviously not going to "fail" tests --

At DS' school ks1 assessment week starts Tuesday and ks2 is 8th may start

The changes we have made is nothing at all for ks1 (although we don't have tablets, games concoles or phone available at that age).

Ks2, ds will miss one activity (scout) which finishes at 9.30 his usual bedtime is 8.30 except on the scouts night. He doesn't have a games console, phone is on the draw at 7 pm every night anyway. He will have a better and bigger breakfast during that week and take a water bottle at school. Otherwise, no changes. But he is studying every evening. Don't slag me for encouraging a 11 year old to do some work at home, he does 15 minutes every evening it's hardly going to kill him.

Goodness me. I've not made any mention of sats except to say don't worry about them as they are not important.
Certainly won't be making him miss activities or taking things away.
His whole life is not going to be determined by exams when he is 11.

I am not expecting his SATS to determine his future but at 11 years old I think this is the best preparation for future tests. I am trying to reassure the kids that they don't need to stress and am proud of them no matter what etc.. But there is a growing pressure on kids.
I also find it a bit naive that people say children shouldn't have TV in their bedroom etc but it's OK to stick them on the ipads on a weekend to give the parents a lie in.
I don't do that. They don't lie in bed with any games console and both of my children 7 and 11 year old have online log in for homework from their school which I don't agree with but I don't really have much in the way of a choice.
I won't be making the kids miss boxing, dancing and athletics either. They'll still have their out of school activities it was mainly removing distractions like tablet and stuff.. Now I feel it's not about removing them, just giving them balance between work and play.

My son did his SATS last year, I changed absolutely nothing at all.

It's not SATS week in our house. It's TREAT week. Doing all favourite meals, little treats each day (niknaks not expensive), chilled out relaxed evenings watching movies. DD was super stressed about them so I'm trying to make it fun to balance it. Certainly won't be adding on any pressure and definitely no cramming at all.

I sat down with the kids last night before bed and we spoke about it.. I explained how they should have a happy medium and respite from their school work. We agreed a plan and I was pretty impressed with the kids and how they decided their own routine.
We've agreed to 30 mins revision before tea then normal routine and a lovely treat on Friday evening. I think my daughter is taking her KS1 tests more serious than she needs to simply because she is copying off her brother

insisting on 30 minutes revision every day in SATS week is madness. (particularly for the 7 year old). No wonder your DC are getting stressed!

If you must do something why not all sit and read a book together and discuss it!

I didn't decide that if you read my post the children chose that, and my oldest does not have much choice as he has a revision booklet and practice test for each night given by the school.
I asked for advice not judgement. How ignorant and rude!