Schools and learning

Key Stage Tests (Standard Assessment Tasks or SATs)

Your child must take national tests (often known as SATs - Standard Assessment Tasks) at the end of each key stage.

These tests aim to assess children's performance in selected parts of a subject on a particular day. At the end of Key Stage 2 children are tested in english, mathematics and science. These tests give an independent measure of how children and schools are doing compared with national standards in these subjects.

When in my child's schooling will these tests take place?

Tests are sat in:

• Year 2 (Key Stage 1 - 7 year olds)
• Year 6 (Key Stage 2 - 11 year olds)
• Year 9 (Key Stage 3 - 14 years old)
• Year 11 (Key Stage 4 - 16 years old)

Key Stage 2 is the end of the primary phase and Key Stage 4 is the end of secondary phase (GCSEs).

When do the tests take place?

Key Stage 1 tasks and tests are taken within May - the exact dates are set at the individual schools' discretion.The LEA does not publish the results of the tests and parents should contact the school regarding these.

Key Stage 2 tests will be taken in the week commencing Monday 14th May.

Key Stage 3 tests will be taken in the week commencing Monday 8th May.

GCSEs and A levels are sat within May and June - contact your childs school for specific dates.

In the academic year 2005-2006 the results were available in schools on Thursday 17 August 2006 (A-level) and Thursday 24 August 2006 (GCSE).

When are the results published?

Performance Tables (also known as League Tables), summarising these tests results are published each year. Use the link on this page to find out more details about Performance Tables for Hertfordshire, when they are published, and how you can obtain a copy.