Year 6 Key Stage 2 SATs in May 2025. A guide for parents.

Last Updated: 11 Jun 24
Year 6 children writing their SATs exams

This guide is for parents of children in Year 6 who are preparing for their Key Stage 2 SATs. It aims to provide parents with practical advice and strategies to support their children through this important stage of their education.

Preparing for the Key Stage 2 SATs can be a significant milestone in your child's educational journey. As a parent, you can be crucial in supporting and encouraging your child through this process. Here's a comprehensive guide to support you and your Year 6 child:

Contents:

  1. KS2 SATs in 2025
  2. SATs Past Papers Year 6
  3. Supporting your child


Key Stage 2 SATs in 2025

The National Curriculum assessments, or SATs, can seem daunting, but understanding them can ease concerns. SATs are national and standardised tests taken by children in Year 6 in England. (Children in some independent junior or prep schools do not take these exams.) SATs assess the knowledge and skills in Mathematics, English Reading, and Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS).

Held every May, the 2025 Key Stage 2 SATs run from Monday, May 12th, to Thursday, May 15th.

The purpose of Key Stage 2 SATs is to measure your child's academic progress and the school's performance. SATs results are passed on to your child's secondary school to help their new school set a baseline for progress measurement and often place them into suitable sets or streams in Year 7.

SATs Subjects

  • English Reading: Tests comprehension skills through questions based on various texts. There is one English Reading Paper, 50 marks, 60 minutes.
  • Mathematics: This course includes arithmetic and reasoning papers. It focuses on number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, and problem-solving. There are three Mathematics Papers, 110 marks, and 110 minutes.
  • English Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS): This assesses grammar rules, punctuation, and spelling knowledge. There are two GPS papers, 70 marks, 60 minutes.


SATs Test Schedule

  • Monday, 12th May 2025: English Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (Papers 1 and 2).
  • Tuesday, 13th May 2025: English Reading.
  • Wednesday, 12th May 2025: Mathematics (Papers 1 and 2).
  • Thursday, 15th May 2025: Mathematics (Paper 3).


Year 6 SATs Papers

Free download to Year 6 past papers. Search under SATs

KS2 SATs papers and answers from this year, May 2024, are shown below.

KS2 SATs papers and answers from 2023 are shown below.

Preparing for SATs Exams

1. Create a Study Schedule:

  • Balanced Routine: Establish a study timetable that balances schoolwork, revision, and relaxation. Avoid cramming and ensure regular breaks.
  • Short Sessions: Short, focused study sessions are more effective than long, exhausting ones.

2. Use Quality Resources:

  • Practice Papers. Utilise past SATs papers and sample questions to familiarize your child with the format and question types.
  • Educational Websites: Websites like BBC Bitesize, and others offer interactive exercises and practice tests.
  • Books: Invest in SATs preparation books which often include practice tests, explanations, and tips.
  • Tuition: Invest in a few weeks of primary tuition from a qualified KS2 primary teacher.

3. Focus on Weak Areas

  • Identify Gaps: Work with your child to identify and focus on areas where they need improvement.
  • Targeted Practice: Use specific exercises and practice papers to address these areas.

4. Reading Practice:

  • Regular Reading: Encourage daily reading habits to enhance comprehension skills.
  • Discuss Texts: Talk about what they read, ask questions, and discuss themes, characters, and plots to improve understanding and analytical skills.

5. Maths Skills:

  • Daily Practice: Incorporate daily arithmetic practice into their routine.
  • Practical Application: Use real-life situations to practice maths skills, such as cooking to measure ingredients or shopping to calculate totals.

6. Supporting Your Child

  • Maintain a positive attitude towards SATs. Encourage effort and celebrate improvements, no matter how small.
  • Ensure a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit study space free from distractions.
  • Ensure your child eats nutritious meals.
  • Encourage regular physical activity to reduce stress.
  • Ensure your child gets enough sleep, especially as the exams approach.
  • Listen to your child's concerns and reassure them that their best effort is what counts.
  • Teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to help manage exam stress.
  • Keep in touch with your child's teacher for updates on their progress and areas that may need attention.


The Bottom Line

Preparation for SATs is about creating a supportive and balanced environment where your child can thrive. Your involvement and encouragement can significantly impact their confidence and performance. Remember, the aim is to help your child do their best without unnecessary stress.


Further reading which may interest you:

The 11+ Exam for grammar school entry in September 2025. A guide for parents.

25 Jul 24

This article provides a guide for parents of current Year 5 children who want to prepare their children for the 11+ Exam in September 2024 so that they can enter their ...

read more..

The year one phonics screening check. A guide for parents 2024.

23 Jul 24

All Year 1 children in England take the Year One Phonics Screening Check. It is usually taken in June, and this year, it will take place during the week commencing 10th...

read more..
See all blogs
Found this useful? Send it to someone else!
We only offer qualified teachers
blog swoosh
 for home or online tuition

We're better than tutors. We're teachers available and ready to work for you.

View or contact teachers now

Thank you for downloading a blog from

thanks

All our blogs

Cookies
Manage