Year 6 SATS

[cambsno]

Yes, I am one of those who is happy to defy the government and take my kids out of school for holidays. We both work hard for our money and going in the official school holidays is a massive increase in cost. The benefit they get from a good quality holiday IMO more than makes up for the week of school they missed last year or in 2015 (and other than us taking him out of school my son in year 5 has probably missed just 3 or 4 days in all that time with sickness so attendance is good). My dilemma is not about the rights and wrongs of doing this, but around doing it around SATS week. I am keen to go away in early May next year but the wife is not so keen as he would miss year 6 SATS.

After chatting to a friend who is a secondary school teacher, she has said that SATS are a huge thing for the school and not for the pupil. Much of the learning and focus is on passing these (with a view to giving their new school a view as to ability), but at her school and others locally they do their own benchmarking in Yr7 so the results are largely ignored by them. I cannot see any tangible negatives in my son missing these? According to my friend, after SATS the kids do pretty much naff all, so I also begrudge paying a fine after SATS(we would normally go away last two weeks in May) when they are taking things easier at school and just building up to an end of term production. If I am going to get fined regardless I might as well go at a time that suits me! Am tempted to see if the head will allow absence after SATS if we go late May rather than take him out during SATS as he is one of the higher performers, seems a good compromise but fear his hands will be tied.

So has anyone else's kids missed SATS and is there any impact?

 

[MatBin]

Think I'll order the popcorn now .......................

 

[Mozziephotography]

SATs are an important marker for schools whether we like it or not. Many schools are chosen by parents on the back of these. Taught for 40 years and totally hated them. They can restrict a child's learning and the pressure can be immense on both sides. Some kids love them while others don't. They narrow the curriculum and I wish that they'd never seen the light of day. Your time at primary school should be fun and an adventure. It isn't WHAT you learn that is important, it's your approach. Enthusiasm and a passion for a subject or subjects will rub off on the kids. Loved the feedback I got, "I didn't enjoy maths/reading until I was in your class." Job done. Should you take them on holiday ... That's up to you to decide. What message does it convey to your child? Can well understand your frustration. We had to go away in July/August and pay top whack for 40 years. It needs to change.

 

[Mr Bump]

There your kids I guess do whatever you want with them.

 

[cambsno]

SATs are an important marker for schools whether we like it or not. Many schools are chosen by parents on the back of these. Taught for 40 years and totally hated them. They can restrict a child's learning and the pressure can be immense on both sides. Some kids love them while others don't. They narrow the curriculum and I wish that they'd never seen the light of day. Your time at primary school should be fun and an adventure. It isn't WHAT you learn that is important, it's your approach. Enthusiasm and a passion for a subject or subjects will rub off on the kids. Loved the feedback I got, "I didn't enjoy maths/reading until I was in your class." Job done. Should you take them on holiday ... That's up to you to decide. What message does it convey to your child? Can well understand your frustration. We had to go away in July/August and pay top whack for 40 years. It needs to change.

It seems to me that Year 6 is built around SATS and the school getting a good score, rather than the child's education. I understand the need for benchmarking and testing but this all seems well OTT. I don't think he will lose anything by missing it, but my wife thinks we should not do it but cant give me any tangible reasons why!

 

[Cobra]

It seems to me that Year 6 is built around SATS and the school getting a good score, rather than the child's education.

It seems to me that nothing has changed in the 20-odd years since mine were around that age

 

[onomatopoeia]

Arguments about SATs being irrelevant or holidays being beneficial, even if there is some truth, are just sophistry. Our elected representatives will have already considered those factors when they passed the legislation in parliament. If you want to do it, then just do it and pay the fine. Personally I don't think there should be fines at infant and primary level, but there are and it will teach an important lesson to your children that mummy and daddy are selective about what laws they obey and ignore the ones they don't like.

Really don't do it once they are in secondary school though. If the teacher introduces a fundamental concept like algebra, or trig, or calculus, over a week while they're away then it's going to cripple their progress if they can't teach it to themselves, because the teacher can't be expected to repeat a whole week for the benefit of one child who was on holiday.

 

[boyfalldown]

If you want to do it, then just do it and pay the fine. Personally I don't think there should be fines at infant and primary level, but there are

Whilst I don't disagree with you I think there are two separate issues.

1. Schools at all levels apply the authorised absence ban willy nilly and it harms relationships with parents. It also discourages sensible dialog with parents about the issue.
Part of the reason for this is if a school authorises absences will limit the maximum grade a school can get at an OFSTED inspection.
Couple of quick examples for you, my (then 4 year old daughter) was refused an authorised absence to attend my brother's wedding & moving on a few years (as its the first day back from holidays today) I've just been asked to provide a sick note for a 10 year old girl. As I'm sure you can imagine my feelings on this issue are less then kind.

2. Not all schools apply fines consistently. Our primary school says

1. At the moment St Mary’s has opted out of issuing Fixed Penalty Notices, but is open to reviewing this in the future. In the meantime, the governors monitor unauthorized absence closely, and the EWO is informed by the school of every unauthorized absence.