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SATs Guide

SATs Preparation Parent Guide

SATs are an important Year 6 milestone, but they should not dominate family life. This guide explains what parents can do at home, how to build confidence in Maths and English, and when extra tutoring support may help.

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SATs preparation parent advice from National Learning Group
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✓ Maths, English and exam support
Quick answer: how can parents help with SATs preparation?

Parents can support SATs preparation by building a calm routine, practising Maths and English little and often, encouraging daily reading and focusing on confidence rather than pressure. If a child has clear gaps or avoids revision, targeted tutoring can help them prepare more steadily.

Practical parent guide

How parents can support Year 6 SATs preparation

Good SATs preparation is steady, calm and balanced. The aim is to build familiarity with question styles while protecting your child’s confidence.

1

Focus on the core subjects

SATs assess Maths, Reading and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling. Regular practice in these areas helps children feel more familiar with the format.

Parent actionRotate short practice sessions across Maths, Reading and SPaG rather than overloading one subject.
2

Encourage daily reading

Strong reading skills support comprehension, vocabulary and written understanding. Reading also helps children handle longer SATs texts more confidently.

Parent actionAsk your child to explain what they read, not just finish the pages.
3

Build confidence in Maths

Many SATs Maths questions involve problem solving. Children need to explain their reasoning, not just calculate quickly.

Parent actionAsk your child how they got the answer so method becomes part of the habit.
4

Keep practice short and regular

Long revision sessions can feel stressful. Short, regular practice helps build knowledge without making SATs feel overwhelming.

Parent actionUse 15 to 25 minute sessions and stop before frustration takes over.
5

Reduce pressure around results

Children often perform best when they feel calm and supported. Too much pressure can make them anxious and less willing to practise.

Parent actionFocus on effort, confidence and progress rather than scores alone.
6

Spot when extra support is needed

Some children need more focused help with gaps that are hard to address in a busy classroom. Targeted support can make practice feel less stressful.

Parent actionLook for repeated struggles, avoidance or confidence dips, not just one difficult day.

Victoria went back to re-teach our son phonics and gradually built him up to doing Year 6 SATs practice tests. His confidence and spelling ability have improved so much.

Mrs. Herbert, NLG parent

Need help choosing the right support?

National Learning Group can help you choose the right tutoring route for your child, whether they need confidence, subject support, exam preparation or a structured weekly routine.

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When to act

When extra support may help

Tutoring is most effective when parents act before confidence drops further or gaps become harder to close.

✓Your child avoids Maths, Reading or SPaG practice.
✓SATs papers are causing stress at home.
✓School has mentioned gaps or low confidence.
✓Your child struggles to explain their reasoning.
✓Reading comprehension or spelling needs extra support.
✓You want a calm routine before the test period.
NLG support

How National Learning Group supports students

National Learning Group provides personalised online tuition across Primary, SATs, 11 Plus, GCSE, A-Level and adult learning. Our tutors support students with subject gaps, confidence and exam readiness through structured one-to-one and group tutoring.

✓Primary Maths and English tutoring for Year 6 students.
✓SATs preparation across Maths, Reading and SPaG.
✓Confidence building through structured online lessons.
✓Support for children who need gaps revisited calmly.
✓DBS-checked tutors and safeguarding-focused online learning.
✓One-to-one and group tutoring routes where suitable.
Helpful next steps

Choose the right support for your child

SATsSATs PreparationStructured SATs support for Year 6 pupils. PrimaryPrimary Tutoring Years 3-6KS2 support for Maths, English and confidence. MathsPrimary Maths TutorNumber confidence and SATs problem solving. EnglishPrimary English TutorReading, writing, spelling and comprehension. TrialStart Your £1 TrialTry a first lesson before regular tutoring. StartFind A TutorTell us what Year 6 support is needed.
FAQs

Questions parents ask

What subjects are covered in SATs?

Year 6 SATs usually focus on Maths, Reading and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling. Writing is normally assessed by teachers rather than through a separate SATs test.

How can parents help with SATs preparation?

Parents can help by keeping practice calm, encouraging daily reading, using short revision sessions and focusing on confidence as well as scores.

When should my child start SATs preparation?

Many children benefit from steady preparation during Year 6. Earlier support may help if there are clear gaps in Maths, Reading or spelling.

Can online tutoring help with SATs confidence?

Yes. Online tutoring can help children revisit difficult topics, practise SATs-style questions and build confidence in a supportive setting.

Are National Learning Group tutors DBS checked?

National Learning Group works with tutors who meet safeguarding and suitability requirements, including enhanced DBS checks, to support safe online learning.

Help your child feel more confident at school

Tell us your child’s year group, subject and confidence needs. We will help you find the most suitable tutoring route.

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