In the UK, Standard Assessment Tasks and Tests (SATs) are English, Welsh and Northern Irish exams testing pupils’ achievements in three core curriculum subjects: English, Mathematics and Sciences. They are taken by students at the end of each Key Stage (KS) in primary school and at the end of KS3 in secondary school (at the ages 7, 11 and 14). In addition to showing pupils’ progress in these fields, KS2 (at 11) and KS3 (at 14) SAT results are used to create Achievement and Attainment Tables (formerly known as Performance Tables). These tables, published by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) do not rank schools in order but provide the data for the league tables created by the media. Since 1996 tables have also been used to measure the success of national strategies and the performance of a school against national standards.
From the start in the late 1980s, Scotland and Wales did not follow the same route as English Education. When John Major extended the use of league tables (first introduced by Margaret Thatcher) to Secondary Schools, Scotland and Wales did not join in. Since then, Wales has abolished KS1 SATs in 2002 and KS2 and 3 SATs are currently under review. A review published in January 2004 recommended that KS2 and 3 SATs be axed in Wales in the next three years.
In Scotland, up to the second year of secondary school, testing is administered and assessed by teachers rather than being externally marked as is in England
In England, Education Secretary Charles Clarke announced in May 2004 that testing is here to stay but proposed a more flexible approach for KS1 SATs for seven year olds, emphasising teacher assessment throughout the year.

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i personally dont think they should be abolished .

yep :?

the sats also distinguish what level of teaching the pupils have so the ones that are less able dont do work that are suited to the brighter kids, i know there are other ways this is solved but on asking my daughter who has actually just done her sats she doesnt find it a big problem i think most kids moan just because its a fact of doing work :?

i dont think its fair on the 6 and 7 year olds!! iv just been a reader for the Y2's and its a lot of stress, i know they make it fun with snacks and juice but the kids still have to sit in exam conditions :?

no i dont think its fair on the little ones, i thought id put that in my first post :? :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

i loved it when i took my SATs as we got so many more breaks and treats, i agree its stressful for the young children but also think its helpful as it can help shopw what stage their at and how they progress.