Education specialists debunk common worries around SATS results

With SATs results around the corner parents and guardians will be nervously awaiting to see how their child has performed. As this can be a stressful time for children, caregivers may be wondering how best to support their child. 

The leading tuition experts Explore Learning have answered six of the most commonly asked questions around SATs results, including can you appeal the results and what the scores mean. 

When are SATs results released?

Schools will receive test results on Tuesday 9th July^. It is then up to the school how they choose to distribute the results. It is most common for schools to send out a report before the end of the summer term that includes the test results.

It’s worth noting that schools will first check the results to ensure there are no marking errors or anomalies before sending them to parents.

What do the scores mean?

The child’s report will include a scaled score for each of their subjects. To make it simple, a child that receives a scaled score of 100 or over means they are working at, or above, the expected standard.

A scaled score below 100 suggests your child may need extra support to help reach the expected standard.

How do you know if your child has failed their year 6 SATs?  

While there isn’t a pass/fail for Year 6 SATs, as indicated above, a score below 100 would suggest your child would benefit from some extra support.

How can you best support your child who has struggled?

While you may be disappointed in your child’s results it’s likely they’re feeling the same way. Instead of being angry or frustrated, it’s important to communicate with your child to try and learn what they have struggled with specifically, and what help they might need going forward.

It’s also important to reassure your child, instead of focusing on failure, shift it to growth. Use this as an opportunity to teach your child how they can learn from mistakes, and it’s also important to remind them that exam results don’t determine a person’s worth.

Can you appeal your child’s year 6 SATs results?  

Caregivers may wish to appeal a result, however, this would have to go through the child’s school. The school is only likely to pass on the appeal if they feel marks are low across the cohort, rather than on an individual basis.

How does this affect which secondary school your child goes to?

SATs results won’t affect which secondary school your child goes to, however it may inform the school which students may need extra support. If you have concerns about how your child’s secondary school will use your child’s SATs results, it’s best to contact them directly as each school is different.