For a long time, it might have seemed like SATs were a rite of passage, but as education evolves, and more research is dedicated to the link between SATs and mental health, it’s time to start asking: are SATs necessary at all?
Sidcot School is proud to be a SATs-free zone, firmly believing that these types of tests do not benefit children’s learning and are an unfair marker of progress.
On the subject of SATs, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), has stated:
“For decades, the profession has known that SATs and the culture surrounding these assessments mainly benefit the Government and the publication of league tables. They do not benefit learning, and do a great deal to damage the potential for a broad and balanced curriculum.”
This article will look at the impact of SATs stress on our children, offer advice for anyone who is taking SATs this year, and explain in more detail why we offer an alternative approach to measuring pupil progress.
What Are SATs?
SATs, or Standard Assessment Tests, are statutory assessments conducted to evaluate the educational progress of primary school children at the end of Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2).
Typically, children aged 7 in Year 2 and 11 in Year 6 take these tests, and they have long been considered an important part of the primary assessment process. They focus on key areas such as reading, mathematics, and writing.
The idea is that the tests gauge school performance and ensure educational standards. In reality, SATs results significantly influence school league tables and contribute to school accountability metrics; hence why some schools may inadvertently exert pressure on pupils to achieve good SATs scores.
SATs And Mental Health
A survey by More Than A Score found that 77% of parents believe SATs harm children’s mental health. Indeed, if the people who know their children the best are concerned by the impact of SATs stress, the wider education community ought to be taking note.
Anecdotally, some parents talk of their children suffering from nightmares in the weeks and months surrounding the SATs. The More Than A Score survey corroborates this, citing one in ten pupils not sleeping well during the assessment period. Other issues surrounding SATs include:
- Increased anxiety and stress in children
- A narrower curriculum limiting opportunities
- Emphasis on test performance over holistic education
As well as Year 6 SATs stress affecting students, the negative effects ripple through classrooms. Primary school teachers and leaders face the challenge of balancing school accountability metrics with the wellbeing of pupils. This can lead to a constrained educational experience, often sacrificing creativity and critical thinking for test scores. On this matter, Daniel Kebede from the NEU says: "SATs place intense pressure on school communities. This pressure results in narrower curriculums and in teaching ‘to the test’.”
At Sidcot School, our ethos is that the health of our children must not be compromised by the demands of national testing. We place a clear focus on the emotional health of our students, and on delivering a well-rounded education. This extends to making life easy for parents, who naturally feel the weight of supporting their children both practically and emotionally.
How To Support Children Experiencing SATs Stress
There are ways to help children through the process if they are taking their SATs. Mental health has become such a concern during this time that the NHS even has specific guidance for children and parents. Here are some measures to help ease the burden of SATs stress:
- Talking - Encourage children to express their feelings about the upcoming tests. This helps to reduce anxiety and opens up an honest dialogue.
- Balance - Make sure you’re still making time for fun and leisure. Breaks and relaxation are essential.
- Stay healthy - Stick to a normal routine with the same bedtimes for sufficient sleep, and encourage children to eat well and spend time outdoors.
- Be positive - Focus on effort rather than results to build self-esteem and reduce performance pressure.
- Practise mindfulness - If children are anxious, engage them in mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or meditation to help them stay calm.
- Access resources - Use school counsellors or external resources for professional support if necessary.
Are SATs Necessary?
At Sidcot School, we don’t think SATs are necessary and that there are other ways of evaluating where children are at academically. What matters even more is that children benefit from a 360° education that takes into account all areas of learning and development.
A survey of 1,500 NEU members determined that 58%, or 12 out of 20.5 weekly primary teaching hours, are now spent on English and maths. This means that other subjects are taking a back seat and, as such, children who thrive in those subjects are potentially being sidelined. Spending time in the great outdoors, learning about music and languages, and belonging to sports teams are all ways that children develop their identity beyond the classroom.
The Sidcot Learning Wheel has been developed to ensure that our students are given opportunities in all subjects and can enjoy a much broader education. We set our own curriculum and assess pupil progress in a far more personalised way, encouraging children to not only celebrate any educational accomplishments but to also be themselves and live life to the full.
Not only do children at Sidcot avoid SATs stress and, therefore, the pressures associated with SATs and mental health, but our tailored teaching methods help them to develop a love of learning. We believe that SATs are unnecessary and limit what children are truly capable of.
Sidcot School - A SATs-Free Zone
By removing the intense pressure of standardised tests, Sidcot allows primary school teachers to concentrate on nurturing curiosity and fostering a positive learning environment. Children thrive when learning is enjoyable and engaging, underscoring the importance of a happy and balanced education over conventional testing metrics.
As part of our commitment to being a SATs-free zone, we have a huge choice of activities, including an equestrian centre, forest school and exceptional leisure facilities. We also pride ourselves on our approach to student wellbeing, with an on-site wellbeing hub available for all students to use.
To find out more about our school and how we offer our students a holistic education, book a Junior School taster, attend an open day, or arrange a private tour.