KS3 SATs

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:35 pm

But level 8 work is GCSE work anyway - there is no 'great divide' between KS3 and GCSE - you could argue that my child has also been doing GCSE work in Year 9

herewegoagain · Post by **herewegoagain** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:03 pm

Which is why I said it would be interesting to see how they did if they took the SATs. It wasn't in any way meant to be saying they were somehow better because they didn't take them. I suspect some would get Level 8 but others would get Levels 7 or 6, depending on the school and how selective it is on entry. What's the big deal? I think the reason many independents don't take them is simply because they don't have to. End of story.

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:24 pm

You mean because they don't have to comply with National Curriculum mandates?

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:39 pm

Yes but why are they willing to do KS2 and not KS3?

I do think there is more to it than 'they don't have to' as this applies at KS2 but many schools do take these tests.

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:41 pm

I don't know because DS doesn't start till Sept and I have no knowledge of independent system.

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:42 pm

Do they do KS1 at prep schools?

katel · Post by **katel** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:45 pm

what crosses my mind is that if they are all so far ahead, why not just sit the test to reassure parents and give them a baseline . It wouldn't be at all stressful because it would be so easy for them...

zorro · Post by **zorro** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:48 pm

I agree if they are supposed to be ahead then it should be a piece of cake!

Guest55 · Post by **Guest55** » Sun May 11, 2008 9:58 pm

Zorro there are no tests at KS1 now.

surreymum · Post by **surreymum** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:23 pm

I think some prep schools do KS2 tests so that they can be in the league tables and say they are in the top however many in the country. I don't think there's anything in it for independent schools at KS3, they can't use it for marketing their business.

Why would you want your children to do them? More unnecessary nonsense and pressure for the kids. They have so much testing now in the senior years.