7 Tips for SATS week

Yes, it’s that time of year again! Next week is SATS week for Year 6 pupils up and down the country, and no doubt anxiety levels will be rising over the next few days in many children, parents and (especially) teachers.

So, here are 7 tips which will help your child be ready and as relaxed as possible for the coming week:

1. Early to bed, early to rise! - This will present quite a challenge for many, but the fact is that plenty of sleep the night before means that your child is more likely to be fully rested and less anxious about being tired during the test. An early start means they will have more time to wake up and get their brain into gear well before they go to school. The last thing they need is to be half asleep for the first 15 minutes of the test!

2. Give them a good breakfast - The old cliché states that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet it is the meal most easily skipped or reduced to a quick five-minute bite as we run out of the door. The SATS are mentally demanding for children, and the level of concentration required is very high, which can be exhausting. A good breakfast will provide children will more energy reserves which they will need throughout the day, especially in the morning.

3. Get to school a little early - Children can be surprisingly anxious about being late to school, and it is a source of stress that can easily be avoided. Ensure they know you will be getting them to school a little early (five minutes is plenty) so they can at least get that potential source of anxiety out of their minds. It also allows them a chance to catch up with their friends before the day begins, and no doubt this will relax them even more.

4. Revision is not essential - I hear more examples of children preparing their own revision time tables for SATS week - I suspect this is because they want to emulate older children who they see doing this for their GCSEs and A-Levels. Your child will have done plenty of revision at school, so they do not need to do much more at home. If you (or they) feel they need some last minute practice of times tables or other skills, limit these sessions to short bursts (15 minutes maximum) with plenty of rest time in between.

5. Give them plenty of downtime - Even though the tests only last for some of the morning, they can be exhausting. Couple this with an afternoon of school (regardless of what they have been doing in that time) and it is likely that your child will be very tired at the end of the day. Ensure they have plenty of chance to do things to unwind and relax every evening, either with friends, family or on their own.

6. Talk to them about any worries they may have - Children often get themselves worked up over little things, or misunderstand situations which can cause them to get very stressed or anxious. Many children think the SATS will affect the rest of their lives, or that they won’t get into secondary school if they don’t do well. Have some one-to-one time with them so they can air any worries they have, and talk them through to help them overcome their anxiety. Also, try not to laugh or dismiss their concerns as silly, for they may be worried about telling you things in the future for fear that it isn’t worth your time or that they are doing something wrong by feeling that way.

7. Don’t link rewards to passing the SATS - It is of course natural for parents to want to reward their child for their successes, and this is a great thing! However, if you decide to give your child a reward or present after the SATS, don’t tell them they will get it if they pass. This piles a huge amount of pressure on children as they will be worried not only about losing the reward, but also gives them a real sense that they will let you down if they don’t do well. Instead, you could give them a reward for finishing their SATS, or even for finishing primary school. This will take more pressure off the test themselves, and even give them a bit of motivation to work through them as they know they have something to look forward to after they are done! Also, rewards don’t have to be anything big or expensive - it could be extra TV or tablet time, or perhaps giving your child a special meal choice for a Friday evening.

I hope this quick blog has been helpful, and I wish every child in Year 6 the best of luck for next week! If you do have any further questions about the SATS, please feel free to get in touch over the next few days and I will be glad to assist you.

If you would like more information on the 11+, SATS or any other aspects of primary education, please contact us and we would love to help you. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and you can learn more about our company or purchase our 11+ practice materials at www.ingenia-education.co.uk.