Missing a SATS exam?

[Amgoingtoburst]

A friend's child is due to do SATS in a week's time, but an amazing opportunity has arisen on the Monday, think once in a lifetime type event (I am unable to divilge what it is). Parents want the child to take this opportunity, as would I if it were my child, but it means they will miss their first SATS exam. Should this parent tell the school now? Is there an arrangement that could be made to accommodate this? I appreciate the last thing school needs is a child not turning up to an exam, but this is such a once in a lifetime opportunity, and far more important for that child than one SATS exam. should they keep quiet and feign sickness on the day or explain to school now and see what can be done? The child won't suffer from not sitting the exam, they're really chilled out and so won't feel stressed for having missed it (would be devastated to have to pass up this opportunity though).

Sats is an assessment and not an exam like a GCSE, children that miss it will just sit it the following week.

Presuming you are in the UK and not referring to American SATs.

I believe secondary schools still do CATS regardless tbh.

The SATS exam can be sat later so it won't be completely missed.

Thanks for the comments that SATS can be sat later, I wasn't sure if this was the case or not. The child is bright and so I'm sure school would want them to sit the exam as they're sure to do well. I'm just wondering whether to advise my friend to be open with the school about it so that they have advance notice. If school say it will be marked as an unauthorised absence then they'll be doing it anyway! But it's possible if school know what it is then they may be supportive - I think they'd be proud their pupil has been selected for this opportunity.

It is possible for arrangements to be made for a child who has missed a sat to take it the next day. It’s not as simple as some are making out though. School have to be 100% sure the child has had no way to be told the contents of the test. They have to vouch for this and the child will be kept completely separate from all peers until the test is done.
We’ve only ever done it once to my recollection and that was for a child who was ill. I’ve not idea what the process would be for getting approval for this simply because the child is skipping school.
This child would actually be missing 2 tests if they miss the Monday.
Its totally up to the parents and school but it might be harder than you’d think and school will be probably not very understanding and a bit pissed off to be honest.

It can't be taken later if it is missed for a holiday only if for sickness or a limited number of authorised reasons. The parents would also have to confirm that the child had no contact with the other children or any access to social,media etc where discussion of the paper could be had.

If they have been selected for a national sports event or similar, the tests could be rearranged. We had a child who attended a funeral for a close relative and that was agreed,the test was held the following afternoon.

As a secondary teacher, I say take the kid out and tell school what has happened. No kid leaves school with a SATs grade so don’t sweat it.

All secondaries (AFAIK) will assess the kids when they start during the first half term anyway.

The primary school will be annoyed if the child is bright and expected to do well but other than that- it’s no biggie.

Definitely be honest. School might not like it, but honesty is always the right policy. If they feign illness it means they'll be denying their child the opportunity to ever discuss this apparently amazing opportunity with his friends and teachers. If it's as amazing as you claim it to be and the kind of thing to be proud of it would be a great shame and potentially take the shine off somewhat if he's not able to share it with others. If the 'opportunity' is documented anywhere (photos online, in the press etc) they're also likely to be found out anyway.

Hopefully provisions can be made for him to sit it the following day. I'm intrigued what it could be to absolutely have to be on that date as I'm assuming the "once in a lifetime opportunity" itself absolutely can't be rearranged?

SATs aren't the be all and end all (I say this as a teacher). It's impossible to say whether the school will be understanding or not, not knowing the school or what the opportunity is, but always be honest.

I'll have to pop on here in a week's time and let you know what the event was, as once it's happened it won't be a problem to say what it was. The organisation of the event is outside the control of my friend - not the sort of thing that could be rearranged - it's a case of take part, or miss out. It's a good point about being honest as the child will likely want to tell friends at school about it, and it could be in the press, social media etc. I have passed all the advice given onto my friend, so many thanks to you all.

Check with your school but for some schools it’s a no go and cannot be sat at another time.

Sats are utterly pointless and only there for the shite government to grade the school.

take them out.

No they wont.

Sounds like a great opportunity, I'd tell the school and miss the SAT

Fuck the school. There’s no value in sats at all for the pupil.

I cant think of any event where 11 year olds participate that would take place on a Monday during the day. Presumably other 11 year olds will also be taking part, so whoever has organised this even should have known about SATS.

Well good luck to friends child for the event .

Definitely be honest and take the child to the event. (And update us on what the event is!)

The other children (not sure how many others there are) may be different ages or might be at a private school and therefore SATS not an issue. The organisers may well not even know what SATS are, let alone when they fall.

So, now the event is over I can reveal a bit more about it. A member of the Royal Family of the country where my friend was born was visiting the UK and my friend's child was chosen to meet them and present a gift. It was a great honour for both my friend and her child and unlikely to happen again in their lifetime.
I can also update that my friend did tell school and they gave permission for child to miss today's exam and sit it tomorrow instead. So thanks all for the advice - she says it was a great day, and one her child won't forget, and they still get to sit the exam :-)

If anyone reading this had a child sitting SATS today - I hope it went well :-)

Amazing, so glad that they were able to do such a special activity. Hope that their (and everyone's) SATs go well.