What are they?

SATS (Standard Assessment Tests) measure children’s educational achievement in years 2 and 6, with the aim of holding schools to account for the attainment of their pupils and the progress they make.

When do they take place?

In England, children take SATS twice during their time at primary school:

Key stage 1:

These assessments take place in the May of year 2 (age 7) and test children’s ability in maths and reading (plus an optional test in English grammar, punctuation and spelling). The tests are informal and they take place in a normal classroom situation. From 2023, they will be made non-statutory, so schools will choose whether to administer them or not.

Key stage 2:

These assessments take place in the May of year 6 (age 11) and are more formal tests in English (grammar, punctuation, spelling and reading) and maths.

How are they marked?

Scores are given on a scale of 80 to 120 - with a score of 100 or more meaning a pupil is meeting the expected governmental standard (but this equates to different marks for each paper). Key stage 1 SATS are marked by teachers within the school; key stage 2 SATS are sent away to be marked externally.

Do parents get the results?

You will be told whether your child is working towards, at or beyond the expected standard as part of your child's end of year report. The results of Key stage 2 SATS are also published annually in the Department of Education’s primary school league tables, where an online facility enables users to compare schools against other schools, as well as against the national average.

Phonics Check

What is it?

The Phonics Screening Check is a test for children in Year 1 and children in Year 2 that have not yet passed this in Year 1. During the Phonics Screening Check, children are asked to read (decode) 40 words. Most of these words are real words but some are pseudo-words. Pseudo-words are included to ensure that children are using their decoding skills and not just relying on their memory of words they’ve read before. Because some children may misread these pseudo-words based on their similarity to words in their existing vocabulary, each pseudo-word is clearly identified with an image of an alien. Most teachers and children, therefore, refer to pseudo-words as alien words.

When does it take place?

Children take it during June in a one-to-one setting with a teacher. This is usually their class teacher, but it could also be the headteacher or another teacher who knows the child well.

How is it marked?

The children would normally need to read 32 words accurately to successfully pass the screening check.

Do parents get the results?

Yes, you will be informed if you child has passed in their end of year report.

Multiplication Check

What is it?

The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for all year 4 pupils. The purpose of the MTC is to determine whether pupils can recall their times tables fluently, which is essential for future success in mathematics. It will help schools to identify pupils who have not yet mastered their times tables, so that additional support can be provided.

When does it take place?

Children take it during June in a small group or 1:1 setting with a teacher. This is usually their class teacher, but it could also be the headteacher or another teacher who knows the child well.

How is it marked?

There is no pass mark for the check.

Do parents get the results?

Your child’s teacher will share your child’s score with you, as part of the end of year report.

OFSTED Guidance