This week Year 6 children completed their SATs tests in grammar, spelling, reading and maths.  I was really pleased with the way they approached the tests and the effort they and the staff team have put in to ensure they are properly prepared.

These test are incredibly challenging but remember, they are not a measure of the whole curriculum or indeed our children.  They are simply a measure of how well children perform in grammar, spelling, reading and writing tests.

You may have heard or read recently that the Government is challenging schools to improve attendance and punctuality nationally, this has suffered after the pandemic for a number of reasons.  As a headteacher, for a number of years now, I know that the life chances of children are significantly increased if they attend school regularly and on time.  Teaching is planned carefully, timetabled and sequenced.  Children who arrive late miss vital sessions in phonics and reading.  Children who have odd days off miss the next steps in learning and although we put things into place, these children are constantly trying to “catch up”.  The only reason children should miss days of schooling is when they are too ill to attend and the school’s ability to grant leave in ‘exceptional circumstances’ is being greatly reduced.

Children learn and achieve the best when they are in school.