Ks1 SAT'S - to early to panic?

[SleepingStandingUp]

DS doesn't particularly enjoy the academic side of school. He struggles to concentrate and I think there's always a running commentary in hsi head about his favourite book or character given how he'll randomly start talking about them. He dislikes writing. He seems to struggle to retain the logic of doing calculations.

Just been given the exam week by school Sat's.

I just don't see how he's going to stay IN his seat (he's rarely still for long) and on topic. Can school come and chivvy him along as long as they don't help?

I just don't get how he's going to sit and concentrate and worried what will happen if he fails everything

The SATS are for the benefit of the school, not your son. If he falls below expectations then hopefully the school would be able to highlight where he needs help. It's really nothing for you or him to worry about.

Nothing happens if he fails. Hes so young dont worry. It's the school not the child that is being tested.
What do you mean can school come? Where? SATs are just like any other assessments and donr sitting in class like any other day??

Think OP means can school approach ('come over to') her son to chivvy him along. Yes of course they can. I have to sit and read the questions to children who struggle. It's awful testing children at such a young age.

I thought KS1 sats had been scrapped? Goodness, don’t worry. It’s to test the school.

@Picklesandbeans

Nothing happens if he fails. Hes so young dont worry. It's the school not the child that is being tested. What do you mean can school come? Where? SATs are just like any other assessments and donr sitting in class like any other day??

Sorry I meant can the teacher come to his desk and tell him to work

@DobbyTheHouseElk

I thought KS1 sats had been scrapped? Goodness, don’t worry. It’s to test the school.

This is the last Yr apparently.

My DC was in y2 4 years ago and we were told we were the last year! I’m shocked they are still testing such young children.

My DC got “greater depth” apparently in the y2 sats, so now they are in y6 they have to get the same or higher score. Loads of pressure. It’s ridiculous and makes me cross.

In KS1 they won't (or certainly shouldnt) know that they are being tested. The kids shouldn't even hear the word Sats at that age.

I don't intend to stress DS out with it, Tbf he wouldn't. It'll mostly go over his head if the others are talking about it.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

In KS1 they won't (or certainly shouldnt) know that they are being tested. The kids shouldn't even hear the word Sats at that age.

The kids usually know about it already though because their parents tell them and older siblings. Also first thing they do when they see the test paper is say - Is this is a test?

It's impossible to disguise a test paper.

KS1 tests are informal and used to help the teacher's judgement during end of year assessments. That's all. The data isn't reported anywhere and they are not used to "test the school" either.

My eldest DS is in year 8 now. He has always struggled at school and is very anxious. When he was in year 2 I was very worried about how he would cope with the SATs. I had images of my 6 year old sobbing his heart out over his desk while the teachers stood unable to assist him because it was against the rules.

When SATs week came around I asked my boy what he had done at school. He said it was brilliant because he sat with Mrs X who gave him a sweetie every time he tried to answer a question. He was most definitely not at all traumatised by the experience. He did not do the year 6 SATs because of Covid.

I think the process is as gentle and unintimidating as the school can possibly make it. They do not want their children upset.

Thanks Kendrick. He's also one of the babies, he'll still be 6 whereas most of them are 7 and he's a young 6

KS1 SATS should be very relaxed for the pupils

CakeRabbit

Our school does.

They have Secret Spy Agent Week. All students spend the week applying to become a spy. Lots of challenges, both SATS (unknown) and additional team build outdoorsy type stuff. They fully commit to the "story" and do spy names, lanyards with Agent ID cards the works. They genuinely do not know they are being tested for SATS.

@DobbyTheHouseElk

We have exactly the same problem. DS2 got greater depth across the board in KS1 due to a bloody amazing teacher who really got him. He is now in Y6 and due to missing so much due to covid and the higher expectations in Y6, he definitely won’t get greater depth. At the moment he probably won’t get expected in maths.

I’m a TA in Y2 (in the same school) and our children do know they are SATs, we have had practice ones at least 3 times since September (which is crazy I know) but it does mean they are genuinely not bothered about them and actually get really excited.

I teach Year 2. We don't sit the tests all in one go and they are often done in small groups. Also, this year we know how the children have been affected by Covid, not just through lost learning but also things like finding it hard to focus or sit properly in a chair. The DfE has sent a letter saying it is keeping the SATs assessment this year as normal to see the impact of COVID (although lower results than usual will probably still be used to beat schools and teachers around the head with).

Unfortunately next year's cohort will probably also have to take them. They were due to be phased out once the new Reception baseline assessment had been properly introduced but because of Covid that was delayed by a year and this year's Reception cohort are the first to do it.

Honestly don’t stress. I’m a mum and teacher. The teacher will still support your child with encouragement and the like, the just can’t help them with the actual work. The impact of Covid is still very visible and this will be taken into account across the board. The results won’t really affect anyone apart from the teacher who might get bollocked if they are awful but equally they can see where your child may need help.

They can take him out and test him with a very small group or even 1to 1 with an adult reading for him if that's what he needs. They can give him all the support he needs.
What will happen if he fails?
Nothing, well more support in KS2 hopefully.
They're not for you to stress about at all. That's the school's job.

[quote ihearttc]@DobbyTheHouseElk

We have exactly the same problem. DS2 got greater depth across the board in KS1 due to a bloody amazing teacher who really got him. He is now in Y6 and due to missing so much due to covid and the higher expectations in Y6, he definitely won’t get greater depth. At the moment he probably won’t get expected in maths.

I’m a TA in Y2 (in the same school) and our children do know they are SATs, we have had practice ones at least 3 times since September (which is crazy I know) but it does mean they are genuinely not bothered about them and actually get really excited.[/quote]
Similar here. Y2 fantastic teacher. The cohort got fantastic results. Now with covid lockdown etc the cohort is having problems with maths, not their fault they simply having been taught half of what they need.

My DC is bright, but I don’t think will get Gd in maths. Loads of pressure being applied. I rang up to find out why DC came home in tears worrying. That’s when I learnt they had gained GD in y2 sats. I wasn’t told at the time, we weren’t told results etc as they said it wasn’t to test the children.

I’m not overly concerned about SATs. I know they base GCSE results in them, but so much can happen in education between now and then.

I’m saddened to learn that y2 SATs are still continuing. We shouldn’t be testing 6 year olds. It’s wrong.

Thank you, I feel a bit reassured he shouldn't be or under lots of pressure by school, and I do think if the few girls who will be really into them are stressing, he'll be fairly oblivious. Seeing SENCO Monday so no doubt we'll discuss my worry then too

SATS have absolutely nothing to do with attainment for your son. They are nonsense feom the government for school effectiveness tracking. They are not even in the slightest worth worrying about. To encourage concentration in general do ply lots of short games with your son, these can be phonics/ spellings or numbers based, use a timer and add on more time every few days. You’ll hopefully see him gradually build up his resilience and concentration.

Why does anyone even mention it to their DC? We never did. It just got done and no one said a thing. The school told us not to. Parents are very stupid if they make anything out of this in y2. It’s well known that the results are often inflated and y3-6 often struggle to maintain the same progress.

What really meters is that your DS does become a good learner. The school needs to work in that with him and so do you. So sitting and eating a meal. Spending time reading without distraction. Ditto writing and spelling. Not huge amounts every day but it’s a form of training. Sadly if he doesn’t he will become more difficult to educate as he becomes older and a nuisance in the class. Sats will then be the least of your worries. Use rewards for sitting still and completing something.