Helping Your Child Prepare for the Year 6 English SATs

The English Standardised Assessment Tests (SATs) are an important part of your child's education. They are designed to assess children's understanding of the English Language and their ability to apply that knowledge in different situations. They are a useful tool to assess how well children have progressed and give Secondary Schools an idea of your child's educational attainment when they are ready to move up.  

The tests are formal, and your child will be provided with a timetable of set days on which they will take the assessments. This can be daunting for both children and parents, but there are many things you can do to help your child prepare and perform at their best:  

1. Read often: reading is an important skill that forms the basis of the English Language. Read with your child and encourage them to read widely and often. If they are not already a member, sign your child up to your local library and enjoy visiting together. Libraries often host fun activities, including literacy-based holiday activities and they are part of national schemes, such as the summer reading challenge: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk Provide them with a variety of reading materials, such as books, newspapers, magazines, and online articles. Encourage them to ask questions, discuss what they have read and summarise what they have learnt. 

2. Develop writing skills: This is an important skill that children need to master for their English SATs. Encourage children to write by giving them topics to write about or buy them a special notebook they can use as a journal. Provie your child with feedback on their writing, and help them to improve their grammar, punctuation and spelling. Not feeling confident about your own literacy abilities? Support is available through the National Literacy Trust: https://literacytrust.org.uk/parents-and-families/adult-literacy/  

3. Develop vocabulary skills: Encourage your child to learn unfamiliar words by playing word games, reading and by accessing online resources. There are some great games and resources on the BBC Bitesize website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zv48q6f alternatively, pick up a classic family game, like Boggle!  

4. Practice comprehension skills: Comprehension is the ability to understand what has been read and/or heard (speaking and listening assessments also form part of the SATs). Encourage children to practice comprehension skills by asking them to read a passage and then answer questions about it. This will help them to develop their understanding of English and improve their reading skills, as they look for meaning in the text.  

5. Practice exam papers: Past exam papers and associated information are available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-2-tests-2022-english-reading-test-materials Encourage your child to practice under exam conditions to help them get used to the format and style of the questions. Children need to manage their time effectively during the tests, help them to prepare for this by asking them to complete practice assessment questions within a set period.  

With the right preparation and support, children can succeed in their English SATs, achieve their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning and literacy.