My dd started grammar school last year. Head of year told them that they don't really bother about /look at their SAT results. She had to do a midysis test about three weeks after she started the school. I think they looked at the SAT results combined with the midysis tests results , and they then gave us what target grades they should be expected to get at GCSE at the end of year 11. However, they are only set in Maths for the first year, with a higher and lower set. The rest of the lessons are taught in tutor groups for the first year. Throughout this year, they constantly have had tests for all lessons every term , and along with homework, attitude in class, and the results of the end of year exams, they take account of all of these things, and then put them in sets from Year 8. I think the top sets in year 8 in Maths do further maths gcse, and the top sets in science do 3 x gcses.
We have had one school report so far, and a parents evening, and another report is due in June. These reports show what their target grade is, what grade they are working at, equivalent to GCSE etc. Do not worry about what Sat results your child gets, as the school will be able to judge how your child is doing throughout the year. My dd was predicted a couple of A*, A grades and mainly B grades. She is performing above her target grades in at least 5 subjects already, and predicted more A and A* grades already, with her targets going to be adjusted at the end of the year, ready for year 8.
Predicted target grades in year 7 just show what they expect them to be able to achieve minimum. Do not worry about sets at the moment, if your child works hard, it shows their true potential, and what they are capable of. All kids have strengths and weakness. And in grammar schools, their isn't really much difference in sets, the top sets tend to just work a bit faster. At the end of the day, the GCSE predictions don't really count until at least Year 9 anyway. I believe they do another test called Yellis then, which gives a better idea of how they are doing later on. The only thing I would say, is if they are interested in any career to do with Science, it would be better to be in the top set, so they can sit the three separate exams, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
This is roughly how it works in the school my dd attends, which is in Lincolnshire.
Hope this helps.
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