Education expert James Clements explains what the KS2 SATs are, how scaled scores work, and what you can expect to hear from your child’s school.
What do the KS2 SATs scores mean?
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Blog posts for: At school
The new GCSEs explained – what’s changed and how the new grades work
Teacher and writer Aaron Wilkes explains what the new 1–9 GCSE grades mean, how they will be used, and how they map onto the old A*–U GCSE grades.
How to support your child during GCSEs – what to do and when
As your child starts studying for their GCSEs, Aaron Wilkes gives his advice on navigating the new exams and encouraging good study skills.
Key Stage 1 SATs
The National Curriculum tests or SATs can seem like a daunting part of your child’s education but, if you know what to expect, they don’t need to be scary for you or your child!
Geometry & shapes in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, your child will learn about acute and obtuse angles. They will also be introduced to coordinates and will be able to describe translations, and will build upon their knowledge of shape properties.
Learning at home: Learning to read
Education expert James Clements runs through everything you need to keep your child’s reading skills developing during the school lockdown.
Measurement in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will convert between metric and imperial units. They will find and use area and perimeter, capacity and volume, and units of time.
Learning at home: Organising the day
Education expert and writer James Clements offers up 4 different approaches to structuring your child’s day learning at home.
Everyday assessment
Discover how and why your child is assessed at school, and find out about all the major tests they’ll be expected to take at primary school.
Choosing a primary school
Education expert James Clements gives his advice on how to choose the right school for your child.
Learning at home: Reading to learn
Education expert James Clements talks about how children who are already confident readers can get the most out of their reading.
Geometry & shapes in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child will learn to describe 2D and 3D shapes using accurate mathematical vocabulary. They will also learn to find 2D shapes in 3D shapes, to arrange shapes into patterns, and to talk about rotation.
Why does your child need a dictionary?
Dictionaries are great for developing your child’s vocabulary, but not just any will do. Publisher Sam Armstrong explains how Oxford Children’s Dictionaries can support your child.
The 11+
Considering applying for your local grammar or independent school? Find out more about the 11+ exam and how you can help your child prepare at home.
Preparing for the phonics screening check
The phonics screening check is an informal way for schools to assess your child’s progress in reading. Sarah Loader shares tips for supporting your child’s development at home.
Phonics screening check
Everything you need to know about the phonics screening check, taken by 6-year-olds in Year 1. Phonics advice for parents and activities to try at home.
Grammar and literacy glossary: J to Q
A guide to grammar and literacy terms used in schools, with definitions, how-to videos, and practice activities. From modal verbs to pure sounds.
Grammar and literacy glossary: A to C
A guide to grammar and literacy terms used in schools, with definitions, how-to videos, and practice activities. From adverbials to conjunctions.
Measurement in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, children will convert between different standard measures. They will also find perimeters and areas of shapes, use money, and explore time.
Algebra in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will start using simple formulae, will describe number sequences using letters as symbols, and will find unknowns in an equation.
Measurement in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will use formulae to calculate area and volume, will convert between units of measurement, and will solve tricky measurement problems.
Ratio & proportion in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will find missing values using ratios. They will solve ratio problems involving percentages, pie charts, multiplication, and division.
Geometry & shapes in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will continue to learn the properties of shapes, will investigate right angles, and will understand perpendicular and parallel lines.
Statistics in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will read and make pie charts and line graphs. They will also calculate and interpret mean averages from sets of data.
Learning at home: What can we learn from teachers?
Education expert James Clements talks about the lessons we can learn from teachers about helping your child to learn at home.
Non-verbal reasoning
Parents with children in Year 6 will probably hear about non-verbal reasoning a lot. But what exactly is non-verbal reasoning?
Measurement in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will add and subtract measurements, will calculate with money, and will be able to very accurately talk about and tell the time.
Geometry & shapes in Year 6 (age 10–11)
In Year 6, your child will draw and build shapes using information about length and angles. They will plot points and shapes on a full coordinate grid, and will translate and reflect shapes.
Measurement in Year 1 (age 5–6)
In Year 1, your child will have explored measurement in relation to length, height, weight, volume, and time. They will also start to learn about money.
KS2 SATs: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS/SPaG)
Find out all about the Key Stage 2 SATs grammar, punctuation, and spelling (SPaG) test. Take a look at our advice, activities, and books to help your child.
The word gap: How to build your child’s vocabulary at home
Oxford University Press surveyed over 1,300 teachers who reported that the word gap is not only affecting children’s achievement at school but also that it can have a damaging impact on self-esteem and children’s ability to make friends. Find out what you can do to encourage language development at home.
Geometry & shapes in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will use acute, obtuse, and reflex angles and will draw and measure angles in degrees. They will translate and reflect shapes, and will investigate regular and irregular polygons.
Learning at home: What would they be learning at school?
Education expert and writer James Clements explains what your child would be learning at school, and how we can use (or not use) the curriculum at home.
Key Stage 2 SATs
Find out what will be expected of your child in the KS2 SATs taken at the end of Year 6, and how you can support them at home.
How to support your child as they start secondary school
Teacher and writer Jill Carter takes us through her tips for helping your child cope with the transition from primary to secondary school.
Geometry & shapes in Year 1 (age 5–6)
In Year 1, your child will recognise 2D and 3D shapes and will explain simple turns (for example, a half-turn). They will use some basic geometry words, like sides and edges.
KS2 SATs: Help your child at home
The Key Stage 2 SATs in Year 6 can seem daunting for you and your child. Find out how to help your child get ready for SATs with these expert tips.
Using the Bond 10 Minute Tests
11+ tutor and writer Michellejoy Hughes explains how using the short Bond 10 Minute Tests can really help with structuring summer revision for the 11+
Statistics in Year 3 (age 7–8)
In Year 3, your child will learn to interpret and create lots of types of graphs. They will solve two-step problems involving tables and charts.
What to expect in Year 2 (age 6–7)
Find out what your child will learn in Year 2, what to expect in their end of year tests, and how you can support their learning at home.
Countdown to the KS2 SATs: week one
Advice from James Clements about how you can help your child to do their very best in the KS2 national tests, and how the assessments can be approached so that they’re a positive experience for everyone involved.
Statistics in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child will learn to draw simple charts and graphs. They will be able to sort categories by their quantities and will be able to compare sets of data.
11+ and entrance exams explained
11+ tutor and writer Michellejoy Hughes explains what the exam involves, how marking works, and what you can do to help your child prepare.
Statistics in Year 4 (age 8–9)
In Year 4, your child will learn to use time graphs. They will also solve problems by interpreting and analysing graphs, and will be able to answer more complex questions based on statistics.
What to expect in Year 1 (age 5–6)
Find out what your child will learn in the year 1 primary curriculum for literacy and maths and ways to support home learning. Learn more about the phonics screening test.
What to expect in Reception (age 4–5)
Find out what literacy and maths skills your child will learn in Reception, and discover ways you can support their learning at home.
KS2 SATs: Maths
Find out all about the Key Stage 2 SATs maths test. Take a look at our advice, activities, videos, and books to help support your child.
Overcoming maths anxiety and being #PositiveAboutNumbers
Derry Richardson talks about combating maths anxiety and becoming #PositiveAboutNumbers, with helpful practical tips for parents.
Maths is everywhere!
Maths expert Louise Pennington shares her advice for developing your child’s maths skills during school closures by exploring maths in the real world.
What to expect in Year 6 (age 10–11)
Find out what to expect in Year 6 at primary school as your child prepares for their Key Stage 2 SATs and the transition to secondary school.
Measurement in Year 2 (age 6–7)
In Year 2, your child will learn about the measurement of length, height, weight, volume, time, and money, and they will start measuring temperature.
What to expect in Year 3 (age 7–8)
Find out what your child will learn in Year 3 as they enter Key Stage 2, and how you can support their learning at home.
Working with school (in strange times)
James Clements shares his advice on how we can work together with teachers to help our children be happy and confident at school, and gives his tips on getting the most out of parents’ evening.
Getting ready to start school
Read our top five tips for getting your child school-ready, download our Starting School checklist and print a certificate for your child.
How to help your child do well at school
Being involved with your child’s education can make a huge difference to their success. Here are some helpful ideas for you to support your child’s learning.
SATs skills: Preparing your child for KS2 SATs
Everything you need to know to prepare your child for the key stage 2 SATs, including expert advice and example questions.
Statistics in Year 5 (age 9–10)
In Year 5, your child will learn to read and create number lines. They will interpret timetables and will solve problems using statistical information from graphs and charts.
Countdown to the KS2 SATs: week two
Advice from James Clements on how your child can best prepare for KS2 SATs, including lots of revision tips and ideas.
What to expect in Year 4 (age 8–9)
Find out what your child will learn in Year 4, and how you can support their learning at home.
KS2 SATs: Reading
Find out all about the Key Stage 2 SATs reading test. Take a look at our advice, activities, videos, and books to help support your child.
Choosing a secondary school
Author and teacher Jill Carter runs through what to consider when choosing a secondary school.
Countdown to the KS2 SATs: week four
James Clements offers some last-minute advice for the KS2 SATs, as well as tips on how you can best support your child during exam week and beyond.
Teaching maths at home
Mathemagician Andrew Jeffrey suggests ways you can support your child’s maths development at home without needing to be an expert.
Learning at home: Buying yourself some time
Education expert James Clements shares his ideas for keeping the children busy – in a constructive way – when you need to be getting on with something.
What to expect in Year 5 (age 9–10)
Find out what to expect in Year 5 at primary school as your child starts to embed the knowledge needed for the tests at the end of Year 6.
Learning at home: How to prioritise sharing a book
Education expert and writer James Clements talks about the importance of reading to your child to boost their educational success in all sorts of ways.
Learning at home: Making a start
Educational expert and writer James Clements gives his 3 top tips of how to get started with teaching your child at home.
Learning at home: Things to get ready for next week
Education expert and writer James Clements suggests 6 practical things you get get ready over the weekend for next week’s learning at home.
Countdown to the KS2 SATs: week three
James Clements takes us through how you can help make your child’s KS2 SATs revision fun (yes, really).
Back to school BINGO
Frustrated by single-word answers from your child about the first few weeks at school? Get the conversation started with our Back to school BINGO card.
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