What Year 6 Teachers Should (and Shouldn’t) Be Doing for SATs Right Now

SATs season can feel overwhelming — especially in Year 6. In this special interview-style episode, Jon is joined by Becky Brown to talk honestly and practically about how to prepare pupils for KS2 Maths SATs without turning the rest of the school year into one long revision session.

Recorded in January, this episode focuses on what really matters from now until May, and why SATs should be seen as a culmination of a key stage, not a last-minute scramble owned by Year 6 teachers alone.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why SATs are a Key Stage 2 assessment, not a Year 6 curriculum
• What to prioritise from January onwards (and what not to panic about)
• How to use arithmetic practice strategically without narrowing teaching
• When and how to use past papers effectively — and when to avoid them
• The importance of question-level analysis, not endless test practice
• Teaching test technique without undermining good maths habits
• How to support pupils currently working below expected standard
• Making intervention purposeful, human, and confidence-building
• Why “greater depth” in SATs isn’t about different content
• Supporting pupils’ wellbeing and confidence alongside preparation
• Common mistakes schools make — and what to do instead

Jon also shares reflections from over a decade of teaching Year 6, including what he would (and wouldn’t) do differently, while Becky brings the perspective of intervention, marking insight, and secondary readiness.

Recommended resources mentioned:

• Twinkl’s SATs Survival Hub
• Half-length and topic-specific maths practice papers
• Concept videos and structured intervention programmes
• Test technique guidance and revision planning tools

Get involved

Have you found something that works particularly well in your school during the run-up to SATs?

Jon and Becky would love to share community wisdom in a future Aftermaths episode.

📩 Email: primarymathspodcast@twinkl.co.uk

💬 Or leave a comment on YouTube — tips welcome!