All this week the Year 6 children at St. James have been involved in their end of Key Stage 2 tests, these are more commonly known as the SATs (Standard Assessment Tests). These tests are taken by all Year 6 children in England and are designed to test their knowledge and understanding of English, Mathematics and Science.

The week began with two 45-minute science papers on Monday, areas such as forces, food chains and electricity were covered. The English writing tests were on Tuesday morning. The children had to complete two pieces of writing, the first was a 20-minute piece. The children were asked to imagine there was an endangered creature called the Tongo Lizard. The task was to write a page from an information book about the lizard, the information could be where it lives, what eats it, why the lizards are endangered or what it looks like.

The longer writing task lasted 45 minutes; the children had to write two diary entries. Two characters had visited a tourist attraction, one character enjoyed the visit and the other character hated the visit, the diary entries had to reflect these points of view.

Wednesday was the day of the reading test, this featured questions on a booklet about percussion instruments and percussionists. 

Thursday and Friday saw the children sit their mathematics tests.  The first paper was without a calculator, this was followed by a mental arithmetic paper. The children were allowed to use a calculator for Friday's paper. 

The week was a challenge but the children all coped very well and applied themselves to their tests.

After the tests the children were asked for their comments:

'It was a long time to sit, but I found how important it is to check your work as I had missed two pages out but luckily found these before the end.' - Sam

'It felt like a big achievement.' - Sam

'I thought they were going to be really hard and stressy but they weren't. I enjoyed the week.' - Anna

'SATs week was better than normal school as we got more play.' - Emma

'They were fine after the first test as you got used to them.' - Louis

'Some were quite easy, some quite hard' - Samantha


When the tests were completed the papers were packaged and sent to markers around the country. When marked the papers and results will arrive back in school by the beginning of July.  All the children have worked hard in preparing for their tests but these tests are only a part of their preparations for starting a new school in September. They still have many activities to look forward to during the summer term.