Key Stage 2 Maths SATS

setmefree2 · 17 February 2008 at 1:19PM

Hi

Budget - Delighted to hear that there are teachers who feel "so sorry for the children" of parents who want their kids to do well. By the by - I don't think expecting a child to get a level 4 in Maths in Yr 6 is pushy - but there you go:rolleyes:.....you are the teacher, as you so rightly point out....what do we know, we are only mere parents:mad:

Kez100 · 17 February 2008 at 1:29PM

dora37 wrote: »

With both my older children (14 & 17) and I will do the same with my younger one (6) - I did not do any 'extra' work with them for SATS, only regular homework.

These tests are for the good of the school NOT your child. I refuse to put any extra work onto my children.

I am an active and supportive parent and am a Governor at their senior school and both my older children have done/are doing well at school/college (14 yr old - gifted and talented and 17 yr old excellent gcses and now studying A levels in Maths, Chemistry, Computing and Accounts).....however I refuse to be railroaded into extra work, coaching, revision pieces etc etc for SATS that do not benefit my children on a personal level.

When the Goverment scrapped the 11+ around here it was to stop pressure at a young age, yet our children have to sit SATS at 10/11?!

Clearly your children are doing well and it is not helpful for a parent of a child who is struggling to hear that. Your children did not need any extra support. This persons child does. Please be more sensitive.

Now to my advice....

My daughter was also at level 3 maths at this stage but a lot of help with past SATS papers between Easter and the sitting meant she ended up with a 4B. She may find Maths a struggle but do try and help her. The past papers done at home, without an issue of timing stress, really helped my daughter.

However, if she still gets a level 3, be proud of her. It's a difficult week for them when you think they have no previous experience of one whole exam week.

dora37 · 17 February 2008 at 1:45PM

Kez100 wrote: »

Clearly your children are doing well and it is not helpful for a parent of a child who is struggling to hear that. Your children did not need any extra support. This persons child does. Please be more sensitive.

I do not need to be told off thank you - if the OP had an issue with my post then fair enough - I was replying to her not you.

To clarify I wasn't being insensitive to the OP, my point was about the SATS being about the school NOT the child.

My other point was that my children went on to do well DESPITE not being coached for the SATS - but by being well supported throughout all their school life.

The SATS should be about their natural ability at aged 10/11 - not what has been 'hot housed' into them.

If a child is struggling at school then I totally agree that parents/teachers should support the child, however to coach and coach to achieve 'an expected' SATS mark is not the same and in my opinion is what is wrong with SATS.

Kez100 · 17 February 2008 at 2:01PM

For the detail of your children's success to be relevant and comforting to the OP, they must have gained level 3 at KS2, is that right?

setmefree2 · 17 February 2008 at 2:03PM

budget_counsellor_shaz wrote: »

Hi,

I see a lot of pushy parents and feel so sorry for their children.

I have always helped my children at home, learning to read, SATs revision, etc. My kids are happy and confident and are doing extremely well at school. The schools my children attend have always been glad that I participate in my children's education (they are not schools that are high up the league tables) and have been happy to take credit for and give credit to me for my kids achievemnents. Both my children's primary & secondary schools have seen my kids education as a partnership - not something done to them by teachers (and if they fail tutors - more teachers!). Of course parents can help their kids at home without "damaging" them - and they don't need your sympathy.

Kez100 · 17 February 2008 at 2:36PM

setmefree2 wrote: »

I have always helped my children at home, learning to read, SATs revision, etc. My kids are happy and confident and are doing extremely well at school. The schools my children attend have always been glad that I participate in my children's education (they are not schools that are high up the league tables) and have been happy to take credit for and give credit to me for my kids achievemnents. Both my children's primary & secondary schools have seen my kids education as a partnership - not something done to them by teachers (and if they fail tutors - more teachers!). Of course parents can help their kids at home without "damaging" them - and they don't need your sympathy.

Indeed. Although SATS levels are for the school, for a child struggling to revise for SATS in year 6 with parental support, will aid the child and the things they know. Revision will go over concepts that may have passed them by - due to sickness, lack of concentration or bad teaching. It may also give them a grade, or two, higher and that will likely make a difference on the set they are placed in at secondary. If you are battling between the bottom and next one set up it can make a big difference to your start at scondary. Even if it doesn't - because I cannot speak for every secondary school - the childs improved knowledge from the revision, will help support them in their allocated set.

I don't personally think SATS are necessary but while they are with us, I do agree with revision support for those struggling to meet the normal targets where there is no reason - such as SEN - why they should not be able to get there.

budget_counsellor_shaz · 17 February 2008 at 3:22PM

There is a difference between being supportive and being pushy. Infact I do see a lot of really supportive parents.

All I was trying to say is that children need their parents support and encouragment when they are working and trying.

Some children will find it very difficult to get a level 4 or 5 in year 6 and some children may be unable to achieve this until they are in year 9. Some of these children are not lazy and work hard and are trying, but still find maths very difficult.

The suggestions of playing games etc I gave in my last post will help their maths and they will have fun at the same time.

Mr_Rhubarb · 2 April 2008 at 11:14AM

I came across a website giving free help with multiplication (and a few other things) at
http://www.paradoxtheatre.co.uk/Resources.htm

It's all rather funny too!

System · 2 April 2008 at 2:33PM

my DD struggles with maths although a lot of her problem is the fact she THINKS she cant do it when she can ! and doubts the answers she gets . she has got 2 maths and 2 science practice papers to work on over the hols. i am not stressing about the sats as said before the tests are to check the schools ability not the childs .while i am helping her with her papers im certainly not pushing her. the sooner these tests are abolished the better the basics need more work ,i work with 16/17 year olds who cant work out change from £20 and have no idea how to work out 20% of a any given figure !

tarajayne · 2 April 2008 at 7:19PM

The biggest problem I see with Sats is when children get coached and do well then that mark is used for assessing the level of work given to them in the next school year. They might get a level 5, but they were really a comfortable 4, and had they just sat the exam with no coaching that is what they would have achieved. They spend the next few months struggling like hell and that knocks their confidence terribly. I have children and they have all been different, under average, average and above, my 8 year old currently works a year ahead with year 4s. They are who they are and very happy with that and it is just a test. If you were talking about GCSE's then that's more important, don't take on too much stress. The first column I looked at in my DD's report last week was the effort, she got a pat on the back for that. Your daughter is lucky to have parents that care so much, good luck in whatever you decide.