English, maths and science SATs are taken at the end of Key Stage 2, in year 6. They are marked externally and your child will receive a separate level for writing (including spelling), a level for reading and an overall level for English, one for maths and another for science. At the end of Key Stage 2, the majority of children will reach level 4.

KS2 English SATs

Reading in the year 6 English SATs looks at the understanding of:

• significant themes
• ideas
• characters
• events
• ‘between the lines' meanings

Questions will be asked to assess a range of reading skills, such as the ability to interpret information and comment on writers' use of language. Your child will also be asked to spell 20 words during a 10-minute spelling test.

When it comes to assessing children's writing, markers will look for how well your child:

• engages the reader
• uses accurate punctuation
• extends the range and sophistication of their vocabulary.

For the test, they may have to write a story or some non-narrative form like a poem or a report. One recent task required children to write a page on the Tongo Lizard for an information book about endangered species. Also included was an explanation of the word ‘endangered' and a picture of the lizard. Possible areas for content development – habitat, eating habits, appearance, and reasons for the creature's endangered status – were also suggested.

A level 4 response would include relevant details, such as, ‘It lives in dry sandy places'. To move on to level 5 children needed to use, amongst other things, expanded noun phrases to convey detailed information economically and clearly. So the Lizard might eat ‘the fat juicy insects living in the jungle'.