SATS levels

[examtaxi]

Does anyone know why some schools will not allow pupils to sit for a higher level? It is really a lot of extra work for the school/teachers?

I just wondered because dd (year 6) would like the chance to try for level 6, but the school say that it is too much trouble to arrange for the extra paper.

There are about 6 children in her class who are probably quite capable of getting level 6 - I would have thought the school would be happy with that?

Is it too late to ask now?

Anybody? Dd has just come and asked me if anyone has replied............

Our old Primary school used to do this - and they were extremely hard papers (Maths), and then they were withdrawn.

DD took the level 6 paper and just missed a pass, although she got 98% in her "normal" paper and went on to do A level Maths.

Her friend gave up part way through his, and got 100% in the Yr7 CAT tests.

I think you have to learn too much totally new stuff to make it worth cramming for, when it will be covered properly in Yr 7 at secondary school where most kids will be stretched as there is no ceiling until A level.

Ok thanks.

Personally I am not bothered - but ds got level 6s and I think she would just like the chance.

I will tell her not to fret about it.

TBH, I am glad they were stopped as DS would probably have passed - which would have got right up DD's nose

examtaxi Can I ask why you are so keen for your dd to do the level 6 ? what difference will it make to her ? This is a genuine question, not a sarcastic one I ask because there is so much controversy over SATS with several proposed boycotts of them next year

I hope they stop them completely. DS2 ( in Y4 !!!!!!) appears to have heard they take them in y6 and 'they are really important' Am very cross because I do NOT want him stressed about some two-bit exams that are NOT for his benefit, but solely for the HT and school league tables. Have told him they are not important, but am very annoyed he has been fed this already! by the school.

ICANDOTHAT - I am not the least bit bothered - I really couldn't give a toss because I think SATS are ridiculous.

Unfortunately I have a dd who is entirely self motivated, loves a challenge, and feels aggrieved that her brother got to do the level 6 papers and she won't.

I wish SATS in primary schools were banned.

Unlikely to have been the teachers. Probably another child.

She asked the teacher today, and the teacher told her the school didn't want the extra work of organising the extra papers.

The teachers by and large don't like or agree with them but am willing to be wrong on this?

DS1 flew through his SATS level 5 apparently is also YR 6 but as long as he and the teachers are happy with him then that's ok.

Also hope they stop them for not so academic DS2 (yr 3 at the moment)

Whilst the QCA don't publish new Level 6 papers for KS2, it's quite possible that the school might have some past papers knocking around somewhere that they could, if they wanted, let some children have a go at. If you could persuade them to. But they cover work that is unlikely to have been tackled in primary school.
Failing that, there might be some available online. All the KS2 ones are, with the mark schemes.