June 2020

The first SATs results since 2019 were published earlier this month showing very different stories for children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 for reading. While Department for Education statistics showed that approximately similar numbers of children sitting Key Stage 2 SATS (Year 6) have reached the expected standard in reading. Analysis of Key Stage 1 results by the FFT Education Data Lab showed that the median Key Stage 1 National Test (Year 2) scores fell to behind pre-pandemic levels.

It seemed like an eternal wait, but the KS2 SATs 2022 results day finally arrived. As we know, the 2022 papers would have been administered in 2020 so they didn’t take into account the gaps in learning due to Covid. We asked our Achieve authors to share their insights into the results.

Just before you begin the summer break, we’re sneaking in a last-minute Reading Planet announcement! In September, we’re launching 18 new Galaxy reading books for Green to White bands. Look inside the books with our free samples!

After two years without KS2 tests, there was a certain frisson of anticipation in schools. What would the tests look like this time? Would there be any mitigation for a cohort of children whose learning had been interrupted by a global pandemic? How would the children respond to the formality of KS2 testing arrangements? Had we managed to cover the curriculum against all odds? Marie Lallaway shares her thoughts.

It certainly has been a while, but the end of key stage tests are back and they didn’t disappoint in terms of giving us a lot to unpick and discuss. Steph King shares her reactions to the 2022 Key Stage 2 SATs Mathematics tests.

Simon Ellis, Assistant Headteacher at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, talks to us about how his school incorporate knowledge organisers into their curriculum.

Rising Stars History author, Bev Forrest, discusses effective use of knowledge organisers in her latest blog piece.

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve published the first white paper as part of our Nuffield Foundation project The longer-term impact of COVID-19 on pupil attainment and well-being.

We’ve just launched a collection of new fully-decodable Reading Planet Rocket Phonics books. There are 18 fantastic books available covering Pink C, Red C and Yellow+ bands (6 books per band) and series edited by Rocket Phonics author and education consultant Abigail Steel. Learn more in this blog!

To further inspire those who have found an avenue for their creativity and for those who need a little writing motivation, this article collates 8 awesome ideas for you to get your children writing, no matter the skill, interest, or age group.