SATs

You have the flexibility to purchase our on-demand SATs course either individually or in combination with our tuition options, whether you prefer online or face-to-face sessions.

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national curriculum assessments taken by children in England during their primary school journey. They are designed to measure a child’s progress against national standards in key subjects, helping to provide valuable insights into their learning and inform future teaching.

Children typically take these assessments in Year 2 (Key Stage 1) and Year 6 (Key Stage 2).

• Year 2 SATs (Key Stage 1): These assessments usually take place in May during Year 2 (when children are around 6-7 years old). They cover English (reading, spelling, punctuation, and grammar) and Maths (arithmetic and reasoning).

  Crucially, from September 2023, Year 2 SATs became non-statutory. This means that while the tests still exist, schools are no longer required by the government to administer them. Many schools may still choose to use these assessments to help track their pupils’ progress, but they are not mandatory. Your child’s teacher will assess their progress and attainment at the end of Year 2 regardless of whether the SATs are taken.

• Year 6 SATs (Key Stage 2): These assessments are taken in May during Year 6 (when children are around 10-11 years old) and remain compulsory for all pupils in state primary schools in England. They cover:

  • English Reading
  • English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS)
  • Maths (arithmetic and two reasoning papers) There are also teacher assessments for writing and science, which are not formal tests but based on classroom work.

  The results of Year 6 SATs are used to measure a child’s attainment at the end of primary school and also contribute to school performance measures (league tables).

When referring to UK SATs (Standard Assessment Tests), the tests typically take place in May each year for both Year 2 and Year 6 pupils.

Here are the specific details for the 2025 academic year:

• Year 2 SATs (Key Stage 1):

  • If your child’s school chooses to administer these (as they are now optional), they will take place during May 2025.
  • The exact dates within May are decided by individual schools.

• Year 6 SATs (Key Stage 2):

  • These are statutory (compulsory) and are scheduled for a specific week in May.
  • For 2025, the Year 6 SATs week is Monday 12th May to Thursday 15th May 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of the Year 6 timetable for 2025:

• Monday 12th May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (Papers 1 and 2)
• Tuesday 13th May: English reading
• Wednesday 14th May: Mathematics (Paper 1: Arithmetic, Paper 2: Reasoning)
• Thursday 15th May: Mathematics (Paper 3: Reasoning)

It’s always a good idea to check with your child’s school directly for the most precise dates and any specific arrangements they may have, especially for Year 2.

Our approach to SATs preparation is comprehensive and designed to build your child’s confidence and mastery of the essential skills needed for the Year 2 (Key Stage 1) and Year 6 (Key Stage 2) assessments.

We focus on the core objectives set out in the National Curriculum for each year group, ensuring a deep understanding of the material that will be tested. Our expert-led teaching covers:

• English:

  • Spelling: Mastering common spelling patterns, rules, and challenging ‘exception words’ for their age group.
  • Punctuation: Correct usage of commas, apostrophes, inverted commas (speech marks), and other punctuation marks.
  • Grammar: Understanding word classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives etc.), sentence structure, and grammatical terminology.
  • Comprehension/Reading: Developing crucial reading skills, including retrieving information, making inferences, understanding vocabulary in context, and analysing texts from various genres (fiction, non-fiction, poetry).

• Maths:

  • Arithmetic: Building fluency and accuracy in fundamental calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as fractions, decimals, and percentages.
  • Reasoning: Developing problem-solving skills, applying mathematical concepts to various scenarios, and explaining their methods clearly. This includes areas like geometry, measurement, and statistics relevant to their year group.

Our Preparation Methods Include:

• Targeted Curriculum Coverage: We meticulously follow the Year 2 or Year 6 National Curriculum objectives, ensuring no stone is left unturned in the core subjects.
• Test-Style Question Practice: Familiarity is key to confidence. We regularly integrate test-style questions into our lessons, preparing children for the format, wording, and demands of the actual SATs papers.
• Past Papers Analysis: We work through past SATs papers to familiarise children with the structure, timing, and types of questions they will encounter. This helps them understand expectations and manage their time effectively during the assessment.
• Online Testing & Resources: Utilising our integrated online portal, children engage with regular quizzes and online tests to track their progress, identify areas for improvement, and become comfortable with digital assessment environments. This also provides additional resources for supplementary practice.
• Personalised Learning: Whether through our on-demand courses, group tuition, or 1-2-1 sessions, we adapt our teaching to your child’s individual learning style and pace, reinforcing strengths and addressing areas where extra support is needed.
• Confidence Building: Beyond academic content, we focus on building resilience and a positive mindset, ensuring your child approaches the SATs feeling prepared and calm.

Our aim is not just to help your child pass the tests, but to foster a deeper understanding of English and Maths, laying a strong foundation for their continued academic journey.