What Parents Should know about KS2 SATs and Attainment 8

Key Stage 2 SATs and Attainment 8 – Why SATs is important for every child in primary school.

SATs are tests that are given to primary pupils twice during their time at primary school. The first is at the end of KS1 (Key Stage 1) which is in year 2, and KS2 (Key Stage 2) which is at the end of Year 6. They are commonly known as SATs but are also referred to as End of Key Stage Tests and Assessments. Not every school uses SATs, some independent schools may not, but they will offer an alternative equivalent to measure their pupil’s ability. SATs are used to measure and assess pupils understanding of maths, reading, and grammar and punctuation.

SATs are useful in recognising a pupil’s strengths and weaknesses, and to find gaps in their understanding. It gives schools and teachers the ability to compare how students are doing in comparison to each other – in the same school and throughout the nation. They also show how students have improved and progressed since the Key Stage 1 SATs and offer a predictor for success in their GCSEs. Nationally, they help pinpoint schools that may require assistance if their results are lagging, or alternatively, pick out the schools that are doing well.

Attainment 8 was introduced to measure pupil achievement across eight qualifications. These are maths, English, three more subjects that count towards the English Baccalaureate, and three more that count towards GCSE qualifications. The pupil is assigned a score for each of these subjects and this is then totalled to work out the Attainment 8 score. This system was introduced in 2015-2016 to measure pupils progress at the end of primary and secondary school. This gives the ability to compare scores with other pupils and it helps encourage schools to offer a broad range of subjects.

At first all pupils are grouped when they join secondary school according to their Key Stage 2 results so the pupils start from a similar point.
This is done by calculating the average scores in KS2 levels English and maths. Next, Pupil’s Attainment 8 score is calculated by the GCSE score attained. Using these scores, the pupil’s Progress 8 score can be calculated, and finally the schools progress score can be worked out.

As a parent of a primary age pupil and given the focus on league tables it is a good way for secondary schools to recognise able pupils who are likely to do well in GCSE examination.

SATs are very important for your child’s education, don’t underestimate it. They can be used to recognise your child’s ability and then predict how they will do up until A levels. This can lead to your child being grouped according to levels and potential achievement when starting secondary education. A low SATs score will then mean that your child could be offered less educational opportunities than a pupil who has a high SAT score.
While not the end of the world, as pupils can raise their performance whilst in secondary school, it is important to help and encourage your child to study in preparation for the SATs. Achieving the best mark they can in SATs will boost their confidence and lead to richer, better education as they get older and move through secondary school stages.
Gentle encouragement at home and/or tuition at a recognised centre or Saturday school (for parents who are extremely busy), can help to boost your child’s SATs score. The benefit to their future education can be considerable.

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