Headteachers across the country will find out the results of the Year 6 SAT tests next week.

SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) are national tests carried out by all state schools and sat by children in Year 6 in May each year.

Pupils were tested on English grammar, punctuation and spelling, English reading and mathematics back in May.

A government spokesperson said: 'The tests help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum, and help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area.

'The tests are also used to assess schools’ performance, and school-level results data is used to produce national and regional performance statistics.'

Results day

Before the end of the summer term, your child’s school will then send parents their end of year report which includes these results.

The results of your child's SATs test are designed to give parents a good idea of the standard at which your child is working to in English, reading and maths.

A scaled score

The school will report your child’s test results as a scaled score for each subject. A scaled score: 

• below 100 means that your child may need more support to help them reach the expected standard; 
• of 100 or more means that your child is working at, or above, the expected standard for the key stage. 

How important are the results?

SATs tests help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum.

They also help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area.

The tests are also used to assess schools’ performance, and school-level results data is used to produce national and regional performance statistics.

Results of the tests can be used to determine which classes your child is put into at secondary school.

A government spokesperson said: 'The secondary school your child is moving to will also be able to access your child’s results. This helps them plan how best to support new pupils on entry.'

However they do not define your child's future. Secondary schools will also usually carry out their own tests and children can be moved if they are in the wrong class.