Year 6 SATs have rolled round again and we wish pupils up and down the country the very best for this year’s tests. It’s all down to the pupils on the day of course but everyone else involved – from parents/carers to Y6 teachers to Tutor Trust tutors – will all be wishing them the best!

As a previous Year 6 teacher and Assistant Head for Key Stage 2, I know from personal experience the huge amount of effort pupils and their teachers put in. I also know from organising tutors in my previous school that it means a great deal to our tutors too who often work right up until SATs week. They will have spent a huge amount of time (often from Year 5 tuition in the previous year and from autumn term onwards) tutoring to the pupils’ gaps in knowledge, motivating them and supporting them to do as well as they possibly can in their tests.

Having been an English Leader, I have a passion for teaching Reading but of course, the texts and questions in this year’s tests are unknown and we will only find out when they’re opened on the day of the tests. Last year’s Reading test included a poem for the first time in a few years which was from a previously published collection of works. I would also predict, like the last few years, the most tested aspect of the content domains is inferring information with retrieving information and vocabulary also being significant. This is why our training and CPD for Primary tutors covers these aspects so pupils have a good knowledge of vocabulary and are able to retrieve information and infer meaning from the text.  

Attainment in last year’s SATs increased in each of the subjects compared to 2017 so another increase following this year’s SATs would be fantastic and would reflect all the hard work of school staff, tutors and pupils. I wish all Year 6 pupils and their teachers the very best for this week and am sure they will make us all proud. We look forward to working with you in the future!