Is your child's school going ahead with KS1 SATs?

As May begins, there's a buzz in primary school staff-rooms about one word: SATs. But this year brings a significant change. Key Stage 1 SATs in England have undergone a notable transformation for the 2024 academic year, as they are no longer mandatory. 

What to expect now that KS1 SATs are optional

So, what does this 'optional' label mean? 

Here's the breakdown:

• Schools decide: the decision to administer the tests now lies entirely with individual schools and/or trusts. Some schools might choose to use them as one tool among many to assess student progress, while others might opt for alternative methods.
• Flexibility reigns: schools have the freedom to choose when to administer the tests within a designated timeframe. This allows them to integrate testing seamlessly into the school year.
• Focus on progress: the core purpose remains the same – to gauge a child's progress at the end of Year 2. However, the emphasis is shifting towards supporting teachers' ongoing assessments and providing valuable data to inform future learning.

More than half of surveyed primary schools will still go ahead with KS1 SATs

Whilst these tests are optional, the general feeling is that most schools will continue to undertake them in order to help provide key information on how children are progressing. 

Schools Week reported that only 7% of schools opted out of KS1 SATs this year. 

This doesn't mean that those that didn't opt out will definitely be administering the tests, but Tes claims that over half of primary schools that responded to their survey will run them – but they may choose to run them at different points in the year. 

Has anything really changed?

Even if schools are going ahead with KS1 SATs, there will still be an impact on assessment because some of the pressure will be taken away from schools (and children!).

In my opinion, this can only be a positive thing as the tests can be used more effectively and flexibly to help better support children. Schools being able to select the best time to undertake these assessments is also a positive – these can be woven into the school’s normal assessment timetable, making it better for everyone.

How can you find out if your child's school is continuing with KS1 SATs?

You can contact your school directly to find out if your child's school will be going ahead with KS1 SATs and when they plan to administer them in the academic year. 

Schools may also choose to report the outcomes of these tests to parents at the end of Year 2 but many are probably opting to use this information to create an overall teacher judgement of performance. This will be more accurate as it will help to give a more rounded assessment of a child’s strengths and areas for development rather than just being a cold test score.

Supporting your child at home 

Whether your child's school participates in the optional KS1 SATs or not, there are ways to support their development:

• Open communication
  Talk to your child's teacher about classroom assessments and how they're measuring progress.
• Nurturing a love of learning
  Foster a love for reading, writing, and numbers at home through engaging activities and everyday conversations.
• Focus on the whole child
  Remember, academic success is just one aspect. Celebrate your child's social, emotional, and physical growth as well!

A new era in assessments

The move towards optional Key Stage 1 SATS signifies a shift in assessment practices. While the tests might not be mandatory anymore, their role in supporting student progress remains. By working collaboratively with schools and focusing on holistic development, we can ensure a positive learning experience for all Year 2 children.

Matt Revill is a primary school headteacher with over 20 years experience of working in schools. He has worked in a range of settings and currently works within a multi-academy trust of 14 schools. In his free time, he enjoys reading, computing, holidaying and spending time with his family and friends. Matt has a son who is currently working his way through A-levels at college.