The school year may only be a few weeks old but preparation for Key Stage 2 SATs tests has already started in many schools.
Almost four in ten (38%) year 6 teachers report that they have already begun working towards the assessments, including doing practice papers, according to new research from Teacher Tapp* for the More Than A Score campaign.
By October half-term, a further 12% of teachers will have begun their preparation, meaning that half of all year 6 classes will be getting ready for the tests which are taken under GCSE-style exam conditions in May. By Christmas, over two-thirds (67%) will be preparing their classes.
Schools in the areas of most socio-economic deprivation (46%) are most likely to have already begun SATs preparation and multi-academy trust schools (50%) also favour an early start.
The findings come following the launch of the DfE’s Curriculum and Assessment Review call for evidence which is seeking views on how the current system can be improved.
The majority of teachers believe that preparing for SATs leads to negative effects in the classroom. Research published earlier this year** showed that almost two-thirds of teachers of teachers felt under pressure to deliver results. The majority were ‘teaching to the test’ with a quarter spending more than nine hours per week cramming and doing practice papers. Meanwhile, 64% of secondary teachers described the data from the assessments as unreliable because of the high-stakes nature of the tests.
Alison Ali, spokesperson for More Than A Score, comments, “Because of the pressure placed on schools by the current system, preparing for SATs is a year-long activity for many year 6 classes. This includes practice papers, cramming and teaching to the test. It doesn’t support love of learning and is the wrong way to measure pupils’ achievements and overall school performance.
“We hope parents, teachers, school leaders and pupils themselves will share their views with the Curriculum and Assessment Review. It’s time to hear from those who know children best.”
*Teacher Tapp surveyed 688 year 6 teachers on 30 September 2024
** Teacher Tapp surveyed 1200 year 6 teachers and school leaders in April 2024 and 4,800 secondary teachers in August 2024