KS2 SAT’s Marker

[Lewisnottaughtinawhile]

Hi All,
Even after reading all the negative comments on being a SAT’s marker, I’m still giving it a go! I can’t seem to find any positive ones…. Been out of teaching a few years and wanted to dip my toe back in…sort of!
My question is, and I can’t seem to get an answer from anywhere, can you mark when you want during the three week period? Basically I’m on holiday during half term but hoping to mark before and after this.

I’ve signed up to Reading, for my sins, how many hows should I expect to spend on this?
Thanks everyone! I’m sure there are plenty of very knowledgeable and experienced markers out there who can help?? Please 🙏

I'm a bit out of the loop - but I marked Reading for a depressing number of years. I actually stopped because the timescales changed so dramatically and I found that I couldn't mark flexibly anymore like you seem to be hoping to do - it was just absolutely having to go flat out to hit the tighter and tighter deadlines (and the IT software was shit so if you logged on after about 8am it would take an hour to load the next response - things might have improved since then though)

The more I hear the less I want to do it! Just one positive comment might swing it for me but it's not looking hopeful 🤣

I marked spag last year. First time as a marker.

You get interim targets, eg, 20% to be marked by x, then 40% to be marked by x etc. I went away for a few days in half term so just made sure I’d met my next target before I went away. You may be able to speak to your supervisor and let them know to see if there’s any flexibility.

There were quite a few technical issues with the online training (Capita, but I have a feeling a different company has won the contact from next year) and the telephone support was pretty useless.

Overall it was a positive experience and I’d probably do it again-not this year though as I’m full time teaching. I worked out that I marked almost 55,000 questions in total 😱.

That's useful to hear and also that you'd consider doing it again. 55,000 sounds huge!

How does one go about signing up for this please?

It was a pretty lengthy process and I still have online training and test questions to do before I get the final go ahead for this year. You need to apply firstly by expressing an interest but all the info is on the gov site and then they direct you to Capita - although, I think this is changing to Pearson next year.

www.gov.uk/guidance/key-stage-2-tests-how-to-become-a-marker

Hi all, I'm new to Mumsnet because the question asked at the top of this thread from May 2024 is relevant to me (after a quick google up it came!)

I wondered if I might ask here if the original poster found the experience worthwhile? After being out of the classroom for a few years and marking optional tests for NFER from 2008 - 2018 I, too, applied to mark KS2 sats and have just been offered a letter offering me the role.

However, in spite of requesting to mark Mathematics papers (I was Numeracy Coordinator at my last school and have taught primary maths privately for the last eighteen years to strugglers) they've offered me English Reading. I've emailed to ask if there is an opportunity to switch in the light of my application but if there isn't, I might well give the Reading a try. While I wait though, might I ask the following of you Mumsnetters? Firstly, do the children's papers get delivered to our house (they did for NFER so I'm assuming they do)? Is the process for returning these fairly straightforward? Secondly, how active do we have to be during the e-training days with regards to participation, as in, will we be asked questions? (I have a fear of being the only one not having a clue what's going on and making a right wally of myself in front of hundreds of people!)

Lastly, if the original poster is still around on this site - did you find it worthwhile, are you repeating the experience and if so, are there any lessons learned that you could pass on to a Newbie? I'd be really grateful for any advice from anyone who can help.

Thanks so much, looking forward to getting to know you all! Clara xx

Sorry, can't see how to edit - "received a letter offering me the role"!!

Not a great start 😀

I’m not the original poster but I might be able to answer your question.

You do not see any physical papers! When you do your training, you are told which questions you will mark-I think it was around 8 questions. You then have access to the papers via an online portal and you mark online. You never see a whole paper, only individual questions. I used to mark 100 answers for one question then change to a different question.

I hope that makes sense!