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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Next week is SAT's week ......................

43 replies

mumof2fabkids · 06/05/2008 22:37

My DS is in Y6 and sits his SAT's next week, any tips on how I can support him during the final countdown, revise v's relax, maths v's mates, you get the drift. Trying to be a level headed, cool mum, will it work?

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 06/05/2008 22:39

DD1 will be doing hers also. I am planning to treat her like normal and not stress her by acknowledging that there is anything more special about it than a normal school week.
But school are v relaxed about it all so there is no particular pressure coming from there either.

Psychomum5 · 06/05/2008 22:39

ahhh...if he doesn;t know now, he won;t in a week......

that is my view anyhow, and I got a 14yo taking her yr9 ones this week (and suffering panic attacks over it cos of the damn school putting on so much pressure.

I have just said to listen as much as poss at school, and relax as much as poss at home!!

plus, lots og hugs and saying that just sitting them is the main deal, whatever the school says.

Original poster
mumof2fabkids · 06/05/2008 23:04

Thanks ... he's nervous already and his mock tests last week were not as good as they have been. Doing some revision each night, about half an hour, is this enough or too much? He instigates it, we test him an have put a folder together so he can pick what he wants to look at each night. They test them again in High School don't they to re-balance all the coaching that goes on? I know this is just the start but if he gets freaked out now, its going to affect him in High School exams, he's usually such a laid back, relaxed kid so I hope this will prevail. I expect most kids are feeling stressed this time of year. I like the bits you both wrote about relaxing at home, we have tried to get the balance right, you just never know whether you're doing the right thing.

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 06/05/2008 23:08

It sounds like the school are putting pressure on. I have been telling DD, that I know she has been working hard all year so whatever result she gets is fine by me and that the tests are mainly to see how well the school is teaching them anyway.
AFAIK the secondary schools mainly go by CAT tests that they do in their first term so these are not crucial for that.

Original poster
mumof2fabkids · 06/05/2008 23:23

You're right. The school has come out top in the area for years, but last year came bottom, so no pressure there then! He too has worked really hard all year, don't they get a lot of homework in Y5 and 6? I don't remember there being so much when I was that age, of course that was many, many moons ago.

OP posts:
ScienceTeacher · 07/05/2008 06:39

I don't think there is much revising to be done Mof2FK - it's mostly exam technique that is important, and he will be getting enough of that at school.

The main thing is to keep him calm, listen to any of his concerns, make sure he eats properly and gets an early night.

Those with Y9 kids, how did the maths go yesterday?

We are doing the Sats papers after half-term at our school during our summer exam week.

shabster · 07/05/2008 07:37

My DS4 is in Year 6 too!!! He is really clever but has had more than one wobbly moment over the last week.

He did get excited though yesterday - his teacher says they are having a breakfast club all next week!!! Toast, cereal and fruit juice no less Drawback: Breakfast club starts at 8am and we are a 30 minute walk from school!!

He has been given lots of great revision sites on the internet - they make even Maths fun. Can list a few for anyone who wants them.

mummyflood · 07/05/2008 08:18

I have a Yr9 DS, he thought the maths yesterday was ok. However, I am amazed at the difference in attitude/feedback from the school compared to last year when DS2 did KS2 SATS. You would think the KS3 ones are not happening. No extra homework, no letters/communication from school apart from 1 extra maths lesson after school for half an hour (was going to be 2 but teacher was busy for 2nd one!!) No timetable given out - nothing!!

All this compared to a year and a half of 'coaching' in primary for the Yr6 ones, massive amounts of h/w, being kept in at break and lunchtimes, masses of past papers in lesson time, etc. etc. etc.

Makes you wonder what it is all about!! Would have thought KS3 ones were the more important lot re: streaming for GCSE's but judging by the levels of communication etc. I must be wrong??!! or naive??!!

noddyholder · 07/05/2008 08:58

My ds is yr9 and is totally non plussed which is a worry in itself but he did small bits over the last few weeks and reads over old papers every night before dinner and nothing else really I know they are important but he just doesn't see it so I'm not stressing

Beetroot · 07/05/2008 08:59

ds did 3 maths sats exams yesterday!!

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 07/05/2008 09:05

dd did her maths yesterday. Said the mental and calculator was fine but the non calc a bit tougher. And English one (the writing?) today.

southeastastra · 07/05/2008 09:07

i'm sure my ds(14) said the same thing re maths saggar, i guess they're all doing the same tests at the same time.

Beetroot · 07/05/2008 09:38

ds mumbled = yeah it was fine as he stumbled in covered in blood form a massive nose bleed

susue · 07/05/2008 10:01

I will be helping next week at our local school for the SATS week. The kids are worn out after doing them so a good nights sleep is essential, try and get them to eat some breakfast. I always made pancakes for my boys in any exam week, they are quick and filling and a bit different so they eat them! There are no trick questions in the exams, they just need to make sure they read the question properly and any spare time they have left they should read through the paper and double check their answers, sometimes they make silly mistakes. Helpers can read the question out to them in Maths and Science and the kids can read the question out to the helper in English and it does make a difference so tell them not to be embarrased to put their hand up. Also handwriting and spelling aren't important in Science. Hope this helps

Remotew · 07/05/2008 14:30

DD did year 9 maths yesterday. She didnt want to discuss it much but mentioned that she thinks she did better on the caluclator test.

Be glad when this week is over though, but she hasnt stressed. I also think school have been more laid back than year 6.

littlewoman · 07/05/2008 14:52

I tell my kids that tests are a great way to show people how much you know. My ds in yr9 probably knows less about everything on the curriculum than my son in yr4. He's not particularly stressed out though, because I've always tried never to portray exams as frightening.

He is what he is, they all are what they are.
Not going to love them less because they get a level 2 in spelling .

Hope your dc's all get through it well.

PrimulaVeris · 07/05/2008 15:15

My dd's were a year ago, she was terrified but like all exams, once first one over with the rest were fine.

Advice is just chill, not excessive homework - she had a few revision sheets but nothing much else the weekend before (as another poster said, if they don't know it now ...), did all her usual after-school things and was allowed to watch excessive TV to assist in chilling.

Stress that what's important is for them to do best they can and that final result is not important. I think parents sometimes get more stressed than the kids tbh.

Good luck

mumblechum · 07/05/2008 15:30

My ds didn't bother doing any revision for the yr 6 SATS, he'd already got through the 11plus which was all he was bothered about.

They're just there to see whether the teachers are performing.

Original poster
mumof2fabkids · 07/05/2008 22:35

Thanks everyone, great, reassuring advice. It's tough this time of year for any kid going through exams etc. Susue, I read your post out to him earlier and as your a Helper during SAT's he really took notice, particularly the handwriting in Science bit!

He sees them as a challenge and isn't that stressed (at the mo) and this morning wanted Weetabix with bananas and yogurt for breakfast as he says it makes him feel healthier and more alert.

PV - you're the second person who said no revision at the weekend to me today, so I think we'll have a relaxing time, take his mind off it, and let him watch as much TV as he likes, he'll think he's in heaven. Thanks again everyone and Good Luck to all your kids taking any type of exam.

PS despite what I said, if you have the Maths website details Shabster, would you mind passing them on - just in case. Thanks x

OP posts:
seeker · 07/05/2008 22:40

Don't revise for SATS. They are a test of the school and the teachers, not the child. That's why teachers get so stressed about them. Your child should have covered everything hat needs to be covered - and if they haven't, and you make up the deficit at home, the school will get away with it. They make absolutely no difference to your child at all - secondary schools do their own assessments, so they won't make any difference to sets or anything like that.

noddyholder · 07/05/2008 23:20

I thought that too but they also determine which level gcse you study for and so in effect are v important in th elong run.ds still not bothered though

seeker · 08/05/2008 00:19

How do they determine which gcess you study for? They don't round here!

essjayo · 08/05/2008 14:36

Seeker - my dd's school do science either as double or triple. In order to be able to do the triple science they had to reach a certain level in y9 SATS (level 6 or 7 but can't remember which) My DD didn't get the required level but she was still allowed to do it because the teacher reckoned she was OK to cope but it could make a big difference especially if you want to go down a medicine/vet route which luckily my dd doesn't.

I still agree with most peeps that SATS are all about the school looking good and not of any real benefit to kids. They shouldn't worry about any exams, until maybe GCSE and even then there's no point stressing.

mimismummy · 08/05/2008 17:09

ds (yr 6) is very bright but very stressed about SATS next week. they seem to have been working towards it for ages with test papers, extra revision after school, loads of homework et. He now hates school at the mo, really sad. I have asked him to tell me what his favourite breakfasts are so that he can go in each day having had a nice start, so its pain au chocolats monday, full english tuesday, cinnamon bagels wednesday etc etc!!!

Remotew · 08/05/2008 19:29

Mmm breakfast sounds good. I feel for the kids doing them this week and next. We are looking forward to our meal out tomorrow to celebrate getting the damn things over with hurray!