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SATs articles

Daily email programme
How the daily learning programme works
Whether you're taking your child out of school for a period, setting out on your home education journey or simply looking for extra activities to boost your child's learning, here's why the daily learning programme could be the right fit for you...
Access arrangements for primary school SATs
Access arrangements for primary school SATs
If your child has additional needs that could affect their SATs performance, they may be entitled to adjustments, known as ‘access arrangements’. We explain what can be arranged and how it might help your child.
Free KS1 and KS2 SATs revision advice and resources
Your free SATs downloads KS1 and KS2
Get your free SATs past papers, downloads and advice and information to help support your KS1 and KS2 child in the Y2 and Y6 tests here.
Supporting summer-born children at primary school
Supporting summer-born children at school
Your child’s birthdate could make a big difference to how they manage at primary school. We asked the experts about the potential impact, and how you can help your child thrive.
Age-related expectations explained
What are age-related expectations?
Is your child’s learning on track for their age? We explain how age-related expectations work in primary school.
Age-related expectations explained
Age-related expectations: KS2
Were age-related expectations mentioned on your child's report? We explain the targets children are asked to meet by the end of their primary school journey.
SATs results and how they are used
What are SATs results used for?
Do your child's SATs results really matter? We take a look at what these national tests are used for.
Schoolboy studying in classroom
Helping your primary school child with exam stress
With increasing numbers of children suffering the effects of test anxiety, how can you help your child keep their nerves under control?
Primary-school children using computers
The parent's guide to InCAS tests
Many primary-school pupils in Northern Ireland and Scotland are assessed every year using InCAS tests. We explain what’s involved.
Primary grammar glossary
Primary grammar glossary for parents
Do you know the difference between the subject and the subjunctive? Can you identify a relative clause or find a phrase? From active voice to verb tense, TheSchoolRun's primary-school grammar glossary offers a complete guide to all the grammatical concepts children are taught in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 English. As well as basic definitions we offer more detailed explanations, teachers' tips and examples for each grammar term.
SATs preparation: mother and daughter
Practical tips for preparing for SATs
Being well prepared for SATs will help your child feel more relaxed and confident, so how can you support them at home?
What are the SNSA in Scotland?
Primary school assessment in Scotland explained
The Scottish National Standardised Assessments are online standardised assessments in literacy and numeracy completed by children in Scotland in P1, P4, P7 and S3. We explain what parents need to know about the SNSAs.
Teachers' tricks for KS2 maths
Teachers' tricks for KS2 maths
Is your child struggling with KS2 maths? Help them learn effectively and boost their number confidence in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 with some useful calculation strategies and tips from primary teacher Phoebe Doyle.
Spelling in Year 5 and Year 6
Spelling in Year 5 and Year 6
Spelling is an important part of the Year 6 Grammar, punctuation and spelling test. Support your child's learning at the end of KS2 with Y5 and Y6 spelling worksheets and activities to help practise the spelling rules and patterns they're learning at school.
What is a formula?
What is a formula?
Formulae help children to work out answers to mathematical problems. We explain which formulae your child will be taught in primary school, including how to calculate perimeter, area and volume, and how you can help your child feel confident using a formula in primary maths.
What is BODMAS?
What is BODMAS?
We explain the concept of BODMAS, used to help Year 6 pupils remember what order mathematical calculations should be completed in, and offer examples of how children will be taught to use this mnemonic in the classroom.
KS1 SATs in 2024
Changes to KS1 SATs in 2024
Year 2 children in England may take KS1 SATs in May, although they are now optional. Here's what parents need to know about the English and maths assessments in Y2.
KS2 SATs in 2024
Changes to KS2 SATs in 2024: what parents need to know
If your child is in Y6 in 2024, read on for the most up-to-date SATs information for parents.
Primary grading system from 2014
Primary-school grading system explained for parents
A new grading system to replace national curriculum levels was introduced into English primary schools in 2014. We explain what parents need to know about primary school assessment levels as well as KS1 and KS2 SATs and the new Reception Baseline Assessment.
What are definite and indefinite articles?
What are definite and indefinite articles?
Definite (the) and indefinite (a, an) articles explained for primary school parents, with examples of how they will be taught in primary-school grammar lessons.
Active and passive sentences explained
What are active and passive sentences?
The cat chased the mouse; the mouse was chased by the cat. Learn to identify active and passive voice in sentences and support your child's Year 6 grammar knowledge and understanding.
What are subject and object?
What are subject and object?
Subjects and objects in sentences, plus subject-verb agreement – primary-school grammar terms explained for parents, with examples.
KS2 SATs maths helper
SATs revision: your KS2 SATs maths helper
Some of the maths topics your child needs to know by the time they sit their SATs at the end of KS2 can appear daunting, but we suggest simple and effective ways to practise and revise at home.
KS1 SATs maths helper
SATs revision: your KS1 SATs maths helper
KS1 SATs are no longer compulsory, but some schools may still administer them and numeracy SATs can seem a daunting task for Year 2 children. There are loads of practical, fun ways to help them consolidate their classroom learning and make mathematical concepts (from number bonds to 3D shapes) real and easy to understand. Teacher Alice Hart shares her tips.
KS1 SATs English helper
SATs revision: your KS1 SATs English helper
KS1 SATs are no longer compulsory, but some schools may still choose to administer them. If so, you can help child prepare for the Year 2 English SATs with some simple and effective reading, writing and spelling activities.
What is a calculator used for in primary school maths?
What is a calculator used for in primary school maths?
We explain how children might be taught to use a calculator for primary school maths (though the 2014 curriculum suggests their use should be minimal in the classroom).
What are triangular numbers?
What are triangular numbers?
We explain what triangular numbers are and how able children in Year 5 or 6 might be taught to use algebraic formula to calculate a triangular number.
Child doing homework
KS1 maths SATs: what is tested in the Y2 assessments
Although KS1 SATS are no longer compulsory, your child's school may still choose to administer them as a way of tracking pupils progress. Word problems, place value, number bonds, polygons and pictograms – they’re all taught in KS1 maths and can be tested as part of the Y2 SATs or, from September 2023, assessed by your child's teacher. We review the learning objectives in parent-friendly language and give you examples and tips to help you support your child’s mathematical education at home.
Child reading
KS1 English SATs: what is tested in the Y2 assessments
KS1 SATs are no longer compulsory, but some schools may still choose to administer them. We explain KS1 English SATs learning objectives, plus how to support your child’s literacy learning at home.
Child writing
What are optional SATs?
SATs don’t just happen in Years 2 and 6; in many schools, children sit tests every year throughout KS2. Here’s our guide to optional SATs and why your primary school child might take them at the end of this school year, plus links to free past papers to download.
Girls writing
What are level 6 SATs?
Highly able children could be entered for the Level 6 SATs papers at the end of Year 6 until 2015. But what did these tests involve?
Child writing
What is the Y6 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test?
Year 6 children are all tested on their spelling, punctuation and grammar as part of the KS2 SATs. So what will your child need to know, and how can you help them brush up their skills? By Lucy Dimbylow.
Child writing
KS2 SATs in 2015: what parents need to know
KS2 SATs have changed completely over the last few years. We explain the process for 2015 and what the new plans are for the Y6 assessments, including the new KS2 Grammar, punctuation and spelling test, following Lord Bew's review.
Boy revising for KS1 SATs
Your KS1 SATs questions answered
KS1 SATs are no longer compulsory, but they may still be administered by some schools and it's likey that most parents have heard of them. We answer the questions whirling around in parents’ heads about what KS1 SATs are, if and when they’ll be administered in 2024 and how you can help your child reach their full potential.
Child writing in pencil
KS1 SATs writing assessment success
KS1 SATs are no longer compulsory, but may still be administered by some schools. If so, how will your child's writing be assessed at the end of KS1? We explain what teachers are looking for so you can help your child improve their work and boost their confidence.
Prepare for KS1 SATs and KS2 SATs
Start preparing for SATs today
Take the stress out of SATs by making honing your child’s skills as part of everyday home life.
Schoolgirls leaving school
Understanding SATs results
How are SATs marked, when will you see your child’s results and what do the marks mean? Moira Holden explains everything you need to know about the optional Y2 and compulsory Y6 SATs results.
Mum and daughter studying
What are SATs?
No doubt you’ll have heard a lot of talk about SATs, but do you know what they involve or how you can help your child to prepare? Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know.
Boy looking confused doing homework
Key Stage 3 SATs scrapped - what does it mean?
News of the end of Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) at Key Stage 3 heralds the start of a new era for 14 year olds, but what will it look like?
Multiple choice exam paper
Key Stage 2 SATs testing - what's involved?
Not sure what your 11 year old will be tested on in their SATs? Read on to find out more, along with examples of the questions they may come up against.