How KS2 SATs are Scored

Raw Scores

Definition: The raw score is your child's marks in each test. Each subject test has a different maximum mark.

Calculation: Raw scores are calculated by tallying the correct answers in each test. For example, if a maths test has 50 questions and your child answers 45 correctly, their raw score is 45.

Scaled Scores

Purpose: Scaled scores ensure consistency in the difficulty of the tests year after year. They allow performance comparisons across different test administrations.

Interpreting Scaled Scores:

🐾 Below 90: Indicates the child is working below the expected standard.

🐾 100: Indicates the child is working at the expected standard.

🐾 Above 100: Indicates the child is working above the expected standard.

Subject Scores

🐾 Mathematics: Assesses arithmetic and reasoning skills.

🐾 Reading: Tests comprehension and understanding of various texts.

🐾 Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS): Evaluates English grammar, punctuation, and spelling knowledge.

Teacher Assessments

Complementing Test Scores: Teacher assessments provide additional insights into your child’s performance in subjects not covered by the tests, such as writing and science.

Holistic View: These assessments consider a range of evidence collected throughout the year, including classwork, projects, and other assignments.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Analysing the scores can help identify areas where your child excels or may need additional support.

Meeting Expectations: A scaled score of 100 in each subject indicates that your child meets the expected standards for their age group.

Exceeding Expectations: Scores above 100 suggest your child performs at a higher level, showing strong proficiency in the tested subjects. Unofficially, a score of 110 or more is generally considered greater depth.

Receiving KS2 SATs results indicating that your child is working below the expected level can be concerning. Still, it is important to approach this information constructively. Understanding what this means and how to support your child can help them improve and thrive in their educational journey.

Below Expected Standard

Scaled Scores: A scaled score below 100 indicates that your child is working below the expected standard for their age group in that subject.

Teacher Assessments: Alongside test scores, teacher assessments provide a broader view of your child’s performance and areas needing attention.

Areas of Difficulty

Subject-Specific Challenges: Identifying specific areas within a subject where your child struggles is crucial. For example, in mathematics, this could be arithmetic or problem-solving.

Factors Contributing to Lower Performance

Special Educational Needs (SEN): Your child may have undiagnosed or unsupported learning difficulties that impact their performance. Common examples include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.

Cognitive and Emotional Factors: Issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, or a lack of confidence can also affect test performance.

Steps to Support Your Child

Detailed Assessment: Work with your child’s teacher to identify specific areas where your child struggles. This may involve more detailed assessments or observations.

Educational Testing: Consider formal educational testing to diagnose underlying learning difficulties. Educational psychologists or specialised tutors can conduct these tests.

Positive Reinforcement: Encourage and praise your child’s efforts, focusing on their progress rather than just outcomes. This builds confidence and motivation.

Structured Routine: Establish a structured daily routine that includes dedicated time for homework, reading, and other educational activities.

Extra Support: Arrange for additional support in your child's struggles. This could include tutoring, after-school programs, or online resources.

Specialised Programs: If your child has a diagnosed learning difficulty, seek specialised programs or interventions designed to address their specific needs.

Engagement in Learning: Be actively involved in your child’s learning. Help with homework, read together, and discuss what they learned daily.

Regular Communication: Regularly communicate with your child’s teachers to monitor progress and adjust support strategies.

Receiving KS2 SATs results indicating that your child is working above the expected level is a significant achievement and a positive indicator of their academic strengths and capabilities. Understanding what this means can help you provide appropriate support and opportunities to further nurture their talents.

Above Expected Standard

Scaled Scores: A scaled score above 110 indicates that your child is working above the expected standard for their age group in that subject.

High Achievement: Scores above 100 suggest your child has a strong understanding and proficiency in the tested subjects.

Subject-Specific Excellence: Identify specific subjects where your child excels, such as mathematics, reading, or grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS).

Advanced Skills: Your child may demonstrate advanced skills and a deeper understanding of concepts than their peers.

Motivation and Curiosity: High-achieving students often exhibit strong motivation, curiosity, and a love for learning.

Cognitive Abilities: Your child may have advanced cognitive abilities, allowing them to grasp and apply complex concepts more quickly.

If your child performed above the expected level in their KS2 SATs, it's important to continue providing the right support to keep them motivated, engaged, and challenged in their learning.

Here are some tips to help:

Maintain Engagement and Motivation

Set Goals: Work with your child to set achievable goals for their new school year. This could be mastering a new topic, improving a skill, or working on a challenging project.

Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement helps maintain motivation.

Encourage Interests: Identify and nurture your child's interests. Whether it’s in maths, reading, or writing, allow them to explore these areas further.

Challenge in Maths

Advanced Problems: Introduce more complex problems and puzzles that challenge their thinking. Websites like NRICH and Khan Academy offer resources for advanced learners.

Maths Clubs and Competitions: Encourage participation in maths clubs, competitions, or Olympiads to expose them to higher-level maths and like-minded peers.

Real-Life Applications: Show how maths is used in real-life scenarios, such as budgeting, cooking, or engineering projects, to keep their interest piqued.

Enhance Reading Skills

Diverse Reading Materials: Provide a variety of reading materials, including classic literature, modern novels, non-fiction, poetry, and plays. This broadens their comprehension and analytical skills.

19th Century Literature: Introduce your child to 19th century literature, such as works by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. These texts can challenge their reading skills and provide a deeper understanding of historical contexts and literary styles.

Book Discussions: Engage in discussions about the books they read. Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and deeper understanding.

Advanced Reading Challenges: Set up reading challenges that push them to read more complex texts and explore different genres.

Wider Reading in Other Subjects: Encourage reading that supports their learning in other subjects.

For example:

History: Biographies, historical fiction, and non-fiction books about different periods and events can deepen their understanding of history.

Geography: Books about different cultures, travel, and environmental issues can expand their knowledge of geography.

Science: Encourage reading popular science books and articles to enhance their understanding of scientific concepts and current research.

Encourage Creative Writing

Fiction and Non-Fiction: Encourage your child to write both fiction and non-fiction. This could include short stories, essays, biographies, or even journalistic articles. Creative writing helps develop their imagination and narrative skills.

Poetry: Introduce them to different forms of poetry and encourage them to write their own. Poetry can enhance their understanding of language, rhythm, and expression.

Writing Competitions: Look for local or online writing competitions. Participating in these can provide motivation and a sense of achievement.

Writing Workshops: Enrol them in writing workshops or classes where they can receive feedback and learn new techniques from experienced writers.

Use Technology and Resources

Educational Apps: Utilise educational apps and websites tailored for advanced learners. Platforms like Quizlet, Duolingo, and Prodigy offer engaging ways to learn.

Online Courses: Enrol them in online courses or programs that offer advanced content in maths, reading, and language arts.

Library Resources: Take advantage of local library resources, including advanced reading lists, study groups, and special events.

Foster a Growth Mindset

Encourage Curiosity: Promote a love for learning by encouraging curiosity and asking questions.

Embrace Challenges: Teach them to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

Reflect on Learning: Regularly discuss what they’ve learned and how they’ve overcome difficulties, reinforcing the idea that effort leads to improvement.