Please talk to me about Key Stage 1 tests

[AtheneNoctua]

1- When are they?
2- The subjects are Math, English, and is Science a subject too? Any other subjects?
3- How are the results used? (to rate the school, to stream the children, etc.)

1. any time between January and the end of May it is up to the school/teacher

1. Maths, Mental Maths, Reading, Writing (long and short) Spelling tasks

All children are teacher assessed (level reported ) for English Maths & Science

1. The government use the school's results for league tables. The school uses the results to assess how well the child is achieving and progressing.

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That is KS1 (year 2) SATs tasks- obviously Y6 is different

They are very low key, and they are assessed by the teachers. The don't get sent away for external marking, although they are independently moderated. In my experience, they are only stressful for the children if (sorry to say this) parents get worried about them.

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The results of the tests are used to inform the teacher assessment (as well as many other important sources of evidence).

The teacher assessment is the only result reported. The test results aren't reported to anyone, because they are such a small component of the teacher assessment.

You will receive a whole level teacher assessment for Speaking and Listening and for Science.

If your child is working at a level 1 or level 3, you will only receive a whole level judgement for Maths, reading and writing. If your child is working at level 2, the teacher assessment will be sub-levelled (2c, 2b or 2a - 2a meaning the highest level).

I would also like to point out that children are teacher assessed from the moment they step into school in Reception to the time they leave in Y6. We know how to do this in our normal day to day tasks, without upsetting children in the slightest. The only time parents get their knickers in a twist are concerned about this seems to be in Y2 - but here the only difference from assessment in any other year group is that it is statutory that the results are reported at this stage. That's all!
Hope this helps clarify te situation, op, and hope your school explains it properly - they all too often don't.

By Pitchounette Fri 20-Nov-09 10:17:56

mrz, you advised me to use the Songbird CDrom on another thread to help ds2 with blending. I've recieved it and used it with ds2. It's FAB. Thanks a lot for that advice!!!

pleased you found it useful

Thanks everyone. I'm not really concerned with DD's stress level. She seems to do much better when she is going to be tested on something so I actually wouldn't mind if they sat her down for a test, so long as she was warned ahead of time to prepare for it.

They actually keep testing the kids in spelling, math, etc. without telling anyone what they are going to do, which has left some parents a bit miffed about the whole thing.

I'm no too worried really. DD is doing well. I just want to get a better understanding of how the system works here as I went to school in another country.

testing without warning gives a better indication of what a child can actually do as opposed to what a child has crammed for.

Athene why don't you ask at next parent's meeting - all schools are different, but mrz's right, most schools seem to assess the kids without them knowing so they can track progress. I know at DS's school he's assessed each term but he hasn't a clue about it. I'd far far rather that than he was told.

Yes, ask the teacher what they do, their approach and method.

DD's school are so laid back over SAT tests they are horizontal. DD has been assessed 3 times and still doesn't have a clue that she was assessed. She thinks she did a bit of "extra work" to stay "busy"

!!!!!!

Yes, I'll ask at the next consultation. But, Mn always gives me better and faster answers. So I like to ask here. And who knows when the next consultation is? I haven't got that kind of patience.

Athene - your next parent consultation can, within reason, be whenever you want it to be. Just make an appointment!