SATs in Year 6: My Personal Journey Deciding for My Child with SEND

Deciding whether my daughter with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should sit her Year 6 SATs hasn’t been easy. Like many parents, I’ve been weighing the potential stress against the value of the experience. We haven’t made the final decision yet, but we’re leaning towards giving her the opportunity to try. For us, it’s not about passing or achieving a certain score; it’s about giving her the experience and guiding her through the process, helping her learn to regulate herself when things might trigger anxiety. But I fully accept that this isn’t the best route for every child.

What Are SATs?

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national assessments taken by pupils in England at the end of Year 6. They evaluate a child's understanding in core subjects—mathematics, reading, and spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPAG). The tests aim to measure progress and performance after primary school and help secondary schools plan appropriate support. SATs typically take place in May, with results published in July. While these results provide insight into academic achievement, they don’t define a child's full potential or unique abilities.

SATs are not pass-or-fail tests; instead, they indicate if a child has reached the expected standard for their age. According to government statistics, in 2023, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined. However, for children with SEND, this number is significantly lower, raising questions about whether the standard testing process is suitable for every child.

For more details on what SATs involve, visit: Key Stage 2 tests: information for parents

Points to Consider

Here are a few things we’ve thought about during this process:

Purpose Beyond Scores: For us, SATs aren’t about the results. They’re a chance for my daughter to experience structured challenges in a supportive setting.
Life Skills: Experiencing SATs might give my daughter the chance to practise managing stress and building confidence.
Support Options: The school has been great about outlining the support available, such as:
- Extra time to complete the tests
- A quiet room to reduce sensory overload
- Rest breaks whenever needed
- A familiar teaching assistant nearby for reassurance
- Smaller group settings, making the environment feel less intimidating
- Assistive technology and modified papers
- Pre-test familiarisation sessions so she knows what to expect
- Practice tests with feedback (SATs Practice Resources - BBC Bitesize)
Impact on Well-being: According to a National Education Union survey, 65% of teachers believe SATs negatively affect pupils’ well-being. That fact alone made us pause. Would the stress of testing be too much for her?
Secondary School Placement: Some secondary schools use SAT results for setting groups. Others don’t rely on them at all. It’s worth checking how your chosen school handles this.
Understanding Access Arrangements: Detailed information on access arrangements for SEND students is available here: Access Arrangements Guidance - gov.uk

My Reflections So Far

Right now, we’re preparing in small steps. We’re treating the SATs as just another experience—like trying a new hobby or participating in a school event. I want my daughter to feel that it’s okay to try something new, even if it feels challenging. We practise mindfulness and breathing techniques together, which I hope will help her regulate emotions during stressful moments.

At the same time, I’ve seen other parents make different choices. One friend told me:

“My son has sensory sensitivities and anxiety. The thought of the test environment was just too much for him. We chose to focus on his confidence instead, preparing him for secondary school in ways that worked best for him.”

I completely understand and respect that. Every child is unique. For some, building self-belief outside the testing environment is the right path.

Helpful Resources

If you’re still deciding, practising with past papers can help gauge how your child feels about the test format. You can access official SATs past papers here: SATs Past Papers - gov.uk

Other useful resources include:

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, our decision isn’t about SATs—it’s about giving our daughter the chance to experience something new and learn strategies to cope with situations that may trigger anxiety. Whether she sits the test or not won’t define her. What matters most is her happiness, confidence, and well-being.

Have you been through this decision too? I’d love to hear your story—let’s keep the conversation going at Parensta.