Primary KS1 and KS2 SATs: Updated Guidance for Hemel Hempstead Parents 2024

Hemel Hempstead, a vibrant town in Hertfordshire, England, is home to many families preparing their children for the primary KS1 and KS2 SATs. The Standard Assessment Tests are conducted at the end of each year in May. As we all know, parents are essential to their children’s academic lives. Parents also need primary SATs guidance. They should be familiar with the updated curriculum and guidelines for the SATs in 2024.

The SATs for primary schools in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, occur twice in the second Year of Key Stage 1 and Year 6 of Key Stage 2. Our primary SATs guidance will cover the SATs curriculum and some valuable tips to gain success in Standardised Tests.  These tests aim to assess the pupil’s Maths and English skills.

KS1 and KS2 Exams: What Can I Expect?

The SATs can feel overwhelming and increase the stress levels in your child. Unlike KS2 SATs, the students’ speed of work is not evaluated. The teacher is entitled to stop the test at any time necessary.

Schools and teachers use the results to compare student knowledge and performance to the national average. Parents can receive their children’s results after the school year ends.

In May 2016, children in year 6 were the first students to take the updated Key Stage 2 Standard Assessment Tests. There is a new style of English and Maths papers that comply with the latest UK National Curriculum Standards and are more challenging than those from past years. The old levels of the National Curriculum have also been updated with a revised SATs scoring system.

Key Stage 1 Primary SATs Guidance

In the Year 2 SATs, students mainly access the tests they take for their Maths and reading proficiency, although they are now optional. However, schools may include a SPAG (Spelling, punctuation, and grammar) test.

Reading Test

The Key Stage 1 reading test comprises two papers that cover fiction, factual texts, and poetic texts:

• Paper 1: consists of 400-700-word texts accompanied by questions.
• Paper 2: includes a reading guide of 800 to 1100 words. To finish the questions, students receive separate handouts.

Children do not have to adhere to strict timing because the tests do not measure their speed. Each paper is worth 50% of the total score, and it should take them around 30 minutes to complete. The reading papers include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and as the exam nears, the texts become harder.

Maths Test Primary SATs Guidance

Year 2 SATs Maths test is also divided into two parts.

• Paper 1: This test aims to evaluate your child’s ability to do arithmetic.  It takes about 15 minutes and is worth 25 marks.
• Paper 2: This section assesses your child’s mathematical fluency, problem-solving, and reasoning through various question types. You will earn 35 marks for this section and have around 35 minutes to finish it.

Students are forbidden from using any tool, including number lines and calculators. 

SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar)

The school’s administration decides whether to offer this test. Certain schools offer it in Year 2, while others still need to. So, if your child studies in a school with a SPAG assessment, they must take this test. It consists of two papers.

• SPAGs Paper 1 is a spelling test with 20 words. Each child reads a complete sentence with a missing word and then completes the space with the correct spelling.
• SPAGs Paper 2 is a punctuation and grammar quiz with 20 questions. Tests include a range of concepts, including the use of formal English, suffixes, grammatical structures, forms of verbs, and basic syntax, including periods, commas, and punctuation.

Your child’s teacher will mark these tests as per KS1 standards. Parents do not receive formal or official reports for the Year 2 SATs. Thus, the only thing you will be told about your child’s performance is that. 

Key Stage 2 SATs

After Year 6, students in England take exams in:  

• Reading
• Maths
• Grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS)

The results of these externally set and graded exams are used to determine the school’s performance. Teacher evaluation and your child’s grades will be combined to provide a more complete picture of your child’s achievement.

Since 2016, the KS2 SATs in mathematics and English have been more complex than those in prior years. They aim to match the updated national curriculum, and a new SATs grading method has replaced national curriculum levels.

Year 6 Reading Test

One paper with questions based on three text passages makes up the reading exam. With reading time included, your child will have an hour to finish the test.

Various question formats will be available, such as labelling, finding and copying, ranking/ordering, short constructed responses, and open-ended questions.

KS2 SPAGs Test

The SPAG test typically consists of two sections: a 45-minute grammar and punctuation paper with short answer requirements and a 15-minute audio spelling test with 20 words.

• The 20-word auditory spelling exam should take about 20 minutes to complete.
• A 45-minute written component also consists of an English grammar and punctuation paper.

KS2 Maths Test

Students are required to complete three Maths exams in the KS2 SATs.

• Paper 1: This is essentially an arithmetic test assessing children’s grasp of mathematical calculations. Each question is worth one mark and includes multiplication, division, and complex fraction computations. Students will have 30 minutes.
• Papers 2 and 3 measure children’s proficiency in mathematics, including resolving mathematical problems and using mathematical reasoning. Both papers include MCQs, true-and-false questions, and limited questions. Pupils will be given 40 minutes to finish each test paper.

What Can I Do to Make My Child Ready to Prepare for KS1 and KS2 the SATs?

Everything is changing, including the new guidance around Year 2 & Y6 SATs, and this year’s preparation has more challenges to face as children prepare for studenthood after the children. You may be well informed, but you will not know more than a seasoned SATs tutor. As a result, discuss with teachers, even tutors, to find out primary SATs guidance and enhance your understanding. 

You need professional assistance to ensure your child is fully prepared for this challenge, and that’s where Adnan Khan Tutoring comes in. They have been helping students for more than 23 years. Their team of highly experienced SATs tutors in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, offers specialised guidance that aligns with the latest curriculum changes, helping students confidently navigate the exams’ complexities.

This personalised approach guarantees that each child can achieve the best possible outcomes. The test is primarily a test of your child’s aptitude. Hence, students need long-term commitment and dedication.

Important Primary SATs Guidance Tips for Success

The following tips can be helpful for your child if you are looking to prepare your child for Standard assessment tests: 

• Know how your child performs and stay in contact with teachers and tutors. Feedback can tell you what areas need development. 
• Reading is a good habit; it can build your child’s language skills. You can encourage them to read newspapers, magazines, novels, or their favourite book. 
• Writing is another activity that can increase productivity and enhance pupils’ grammar, punctuation, and spelling. 
• Maths is a subject that needs a lot of practice and dedication to perfect. So, organise daily practice sessions and solve past Mathematics and test papers to improve your child’s numerical skills. 
• Ensure your child completes their homework and is keenly interested in assessments, quizzes and tests. It will boost their morale and increase their learning potential. 

Closing Words

This primary SATs guidance uncovered a lot of information that can assist pupils in their preparation. Our advice for parents is to keep their children calm and be sure you’re available to help them throughout the preparation. Furthermore, getting additional support can guide your child with tricky SATs topics and improve their progress. 

Also read: Understanding the PSLE AL Score and the New PSLE Scoring System