What Happens in the Year 6 SATs? A Simple Guide for Parents

By Miss Hasina Khatun | Primary Teacher, Year 5 & 6 SATs and 11+ Tutor

If your child is in Year 6, you've probably heard plenty about SATs. For many parents, though, it's difficult to know exactly what they involve or how to prepare.

The first thing I'd say is this. Try not to let the word SATs cause unnecessary worry. These assessments are designed to measure what children have learned throughout primary school, not to catch them out.

With good preparation and the right support, children can approach SATs with confidence.

What are Year 6 SATs?

KS2 SATs are national assessments taken by pupils in Year 6 before they move on to secondary school.

Children complete tests in:

• Reading

• Maths Arithmetic

• Maths Reasoning Paper 1

• Maths Reasoning Paper 2

• Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG)

There is also a teacher assessment for writing, which is based on work completed throughout the school year rather than a separate test.

Do SATs Really Matter?

Parents often ask me whether SATs are important.

The answer is yes, but perhaps not for the reasons people think.

SATs help schools understand how children are progressing and can give secondary schools a useful picture of your child's current attainment. However, they do not define your child's ability, future success or potential.

Every child develops at their own pace.

How Can You Help Your Child?

The best support doesn't always come from sitting at the kitchen table doing revision.

Simple everyday activities can make a real difference.

• Encourage daily reading.

• Practise times tables regularly.

• Talk through maths problems together.

• Praise effort as much as correct answers.

• Keep revision sessions short and positive.

Children who feel supported usually perform better than children who feel under pressure.

✏️ Teacher's Tip

One of the biggest confidence boosters is routine.

Try setting aside the same 20 to 30 minutes each day for revision. A regular routine helps children know what to expect and makes revision feel less overwhelming.

⭐ Common Mistake

Many families leave revision until the Easter holidays.

Starting earlier with small amounts of regular practice is much more effective than trying to fit everything into a few weeks.

Consistency always beats cramming.

💡 Parent Challenge

This week, ask your child to read a short article or chapter from a book.

Instead of asking, "What happened?"

Ask questions like:

• Why do you think the character did that?

• How do you know?

• What clues helped you work that out?

These types of questions develop inference skills, which are essential for the Reading SATs paper.

Remember, Confidence Comes First

Every child has strengths and areas they find more challenging.

Whether your child needs support with Maths, Reading or SPaG, building confidence is often the first step towards improving results.

With patient guidance, regular practice and encouragement, children can make excellent progress.

Looking for Extra Support?

I provide personalised online tuition for:

• KS2 SATs Preparation

• 11+ Preparation

• Primary Maths

• Reading

• Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (SPaG)

Lessons are tailored to each child, helping them strengthen their understanding, build confidence and enjoy learning.

If you'd like to find out how I can support your child, contact me to arrange a free consultation.