Supporting Pupils in Year 6

We recognise that Year 6 is a pivotal stage in a child’s primary journey—full of growth, anticipation, and sometimes uncertainty. As pupils prepare for their SATs and the transition to secondary school, we provide a nurturing and structured environment that helps them feel confident, capable, and ready for the next step.

Academic Support in Core Subjects

To ensure every child is well-prepared in reading, writing, and maths, we offer a range of in-class and additional support:

Personalised In-Class Support: Teachers work closely with pupils through conferencing and tailored feedback, helping them refine their skills and build confidence. Lessons include focused support on test strategies and skill development.
Targeted Booster Sessions: Selected pupils are invited to attend additional sessions before or after school. These are informed by detailed analysis of assessment data, allowing us to focus on the specific areas where each child needs the most support.
1-to-1 Reading Support: For pupils who would benefit from extra reading practice, we provide individualised reading sessions to boost fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment.
Engaging Curriculum Units: Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding, helping pupils make meaningful connections across subjects while developing essential academic and life skills.

Promoting Wellbeing and Managing SATs Pressure

We place a strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing, ensuring that academic preparation is balanced with emotional support:

Trusted Relationships: Our experienced Year 6 team builds strong, supportive relationships with pupils, helping them navigate the unique challenges of their final year.
Year 6 Senior and Social Prefects: As part of our commitment to developing leadership and social responsibility, selected pupils take on roles as Senior and Social Prefects. These roles give children the opportunity to lead by example, support their peers, and contribute positively to the school community. Prefects are trained to help foster a sense of belonging and wellbeing among their classmates, and they play an active role in promoting kindness, inclusion, and pupil voice.
Former Pupil Visits: Past students return throughout the year to share their secondary school experiences, offering reassurance and practical advice.
Balanced Approach to Learning: We maintain a broad and enriching curriculum throughout the year, ensuring that learning remains enjoyable and meaningful beyond test preparation.
Executive Function Skills Development: We actively support pupils in building executive function skills—such as planning, organisation, time management, and self-regulation. These skills are embedded across the curriculum and daily routines, helping children become more independent learners and resilient individuals, both in preparation for SATs and for life beyond primary school.
Study Skills and Test Readiness: Pupils are introduced to test-style questions and scenarios in a calm, supportive way. We also help them develop effective study habits that will serve them well in secondary school and beyond.

Supporting the Transition to Secondary School

We understand that moving on to secondary school can bring mixed emotions. To help pupils feel prepared and reassured, we offer:

Anonymous Question Box: Pupils can submit questions or worries about secondary school, which are then addressed by staff in a supportive and open way.
Transition Curriculum: In the summer term, we deliver a dedicated unit focused on preparing for secondary school, including practical advice and emotional readiness.
Additional Transition Support: For pupils who may need extra help, we work with external professionals to provide tailored support.

A Positive SATs Experience

While SATs are an important milestone, we help pupils understand that their value goes far beyond test scores. We celebrate each child’s unique strengths and achievements, and the end of Year 6 is marked with memorable activities that promote teamwork, creativity, and personal growth.

SATs week is approached with positivity and encouragement. We create a calm and motivating environment where pupils feel proud to show what they’ve learned. Each morning begins with a warm breakfast and a sense of community, helping pupils feel relaxed and ready.

We also run a mock SATs week to help pupils become familiar with the process. During this time, we implement any access arrangements that may be required—such as additional time, rest breaks, enlarged print, or smaller room settings—so that all pupils feel confident and supported when it matters most.

Working with Secondary Schools

We ensure a smooth and informed transition by:

Sharing Key Information: We meet with secondary school staff to pass on academic, pastoral, and SEND information, ensuring continuity of support.
Extended Visits: Where needed, we help arrange extended taster sessions at secondary schools to support pupils with specific needs.

For more information on the secondary transfer process visit our Secondary Transition page.

Staying Connected

Our support doesn’t end in July. We remain a point of contact for former pupils who may need advice or simply want to share their successes. We love hearing from them and celebrating their continued growth.