Forum Topic: Feature: Debate: Should SATs be scrapped?

Discussion

• Posted by: Workingmum at 26 March 2008 - 20:46

  Go Huw Thomas! Hit the nail fair and square there, I think.

  I reckon this debate is going to be a bit one sided – shame you couldn’t get Mr Balls take.

• Posted by: Mark at 30 March 2008 - 11:25

  SATs seem to have taken over what teachers do so well in the class and that is produce children who can read, write, do sums and show respect to others. So less testing and comparing all schools in a league table format, for what reason? Just let teachers use the tests and their experience to continue doing what the children need and that is a teaching and learning environment that moves them on to achieving at their own levels, without being stressed out.

• Posted by: Neil in Manchester at 30 April 2008 - 17:49

  I teach Year 6 and all I do is teach to the test at the moment because my class really need it to give them a chance at getting level 4. What kind of a curriculum is that?

  Great credit to my class who are being brilliant about it all in spite of the fact that they are not getting to enjoy some of the subjects they love like art and history. (I’ve promised them some great plans for after SATs!)

  Unfortunately there are a few less able children in my class for whom SATs is soul destroying and really putting them off education as they label themselves as inadequate in our system. Thank you to the government who continues to encourage this!

• Posted by: Jilly J at 09 May 2008 - 20:23

  My son is doing his Y6 SATs next week and he’s tired and cheesed off before he starts!

  He’s had so much extra homework. (How mean do I feel on these lovely warm, light evenings making him stay in and revise percentages when he could be out on his bike or bouncing on the trampoline!). Homework is the last thing he wants to do – and as these are his last few weeks of primary school before he hits the big high school, I think it’s such a shame that so much time has to be spent cramming for SATs at school and at home.

  Don’t get me wrong, I am glad that the school is trying to get the children to achieve their full potential in the tests – but it’s the sheet volume of time being devoted to this kind of learning, that’s a real turn off.

  So I agree with Neil in Manchester on this one!

• Posted by: SamC at 13 May 2008 - 10:18

  Whether or not SATs are a good measure (which I think they can be as long as they are taken in context of each individual child) all the fuss around them in the media is so unnceccesary. Stressful? It so much depends on how each school handles them. In my kids’ school they are well prepared, but the test week is played down as much as possible as far as the children are concerned. Children pick up the stress from the adults around them – parents and teachers. Make out that SATs are part of the everyday and kids just get on with it.

• Posted by: HelenY at 13 May 2008 - 10:30

  My son is in Y6 (sitting his literacy SATs this morning). He’s quite laid back about all the tests this week and is wondering what all the fuss is about on the news on the TV. That’s a credit to his school because, like SamC says, he is well prepared and not panicking and because his teachers do their best to introduce the children to the idea of SATs gradually, throughout their time at the school.

  Used in the right way, and with the results judged in context, as a measure of each child’s progress, I believe SATs can have their place. I think teachers know full well what that place is – but it’s often parents (and of course the media!) who don’t really understand what SATs are all about and what they really tell us about each child and each school.

• Posted by: Bowser at 13 May 2008 - 17:42

  Im a yr 8 student and at this time 2 years ago I did my SATS.

  I found most people who isnt as clever or as confident seemed tired and stressed. We did get homework but it wasn’t alot and most of the year it was revision. The test weren’t too difficult. I don’t like English test but i got a 5c in that (somehow), Science i got a 5b and as for maths, I got a 5b (now I wasn’t happy then since i was expecting a 5a!) I’m on level 7a in maths and 6a-b in science and english is 6b-6c. I didn’t really care how well I did in SATS, i Just did it and get it over it. I think some people are over reacting. Get a good night sleep and dont worry how bad you do. However if it was another country I dont think you would see as many people stressing. They seem to do better then many people in England…