Your child started Year 6 in September. The SATs felt like a distant worry, something to think about later. But then you overhear another parent in the playground mention they've already started practice papers. Someone else says their child has a tutor three times a week. A friend shares a Facebook post about SATs boot camps.
Suddenly, panic sets in. Are you already behind? Should you be doing more? Is it too late to start thinking about SATs?
Take a breath. Let's talk about what's actually helpful at this stage and what's just creating unnecessary stress for everyone.
When Are the 2026 SATs?
First, the facts. The KS2 SATs will take place from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May 2026. That's roughly six months away from now (late November 2025).
Your child will sit tests in:
The tests are externally marked, and results come back to schools in early July. These results help secondary schools understand your child's strengths and inform setting decisions in Year 7.
So, Should You Be Worried?
The short answer: No, you shouldn't be worried. But you should be aware and starting to think strategically.
We're now in the academic year when SATs happen, which makes this an ideal time to assess where your child stands and create a sensible plan. You're not too early (avoiding burnout), and you're not too late (leaving time to address genuine gaps).
Here's why this stage is the sweet spot:
Enough time to build confidence gradually. Several months is plenty of time to strengthen weak areas without cramming or creating anxiety. Regular, manageable practice is far more effective than last-minute panic.
Schools are into their prep routine. Most schools begin focused SATs preparation after the October half term. Your child's teacher now has a clear picture of where they are and what they need to work on.
Autumn term reports are coming soon. You'll receive feedback about how your child is progressing, which helps you understand if additional support would be beneficial.
You can still enjoy the Christmas holidays. Starting your plan now means you can take a proper break over the holidays without guilt, knowing you've got a strategy in place.
What Should You Actually Be Doing Right Now?
Instead of worrying, focus on these practical steps:
Book a quick chat (even five minutes at pickup) to ask:
Teachers have the clearest picture of your child's progress and can give you targeted advice rather than generic "do more practice papers" guidance.
If you want to understand where your child is, try one past paper in each subject (maths and English) in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. Don't make it feel like a test. Frame it as "let's see what these SATs papers look like."
This gives you a baseline. You'll quickly spot if they're confident or if certain areas (like fractions, word problems, or reading comprehension) are tricky.
You can download free past papers from the government's Standards and Testing Agency website or various educational sites like SATs-Papers.co.uk.
Rather than intensive weekend revision marathons, focus on building small, sustainable habits:
For maths: 10-15 minutes of daily mental maths practice. This could be times tables, quick calculations, or mental arithmetic games. Consistency matters more than duration.
For reading: 20 minutes of reading every evening, followed by a quick chat about what they've read. Ask questions like "Why do you think the character did that?" or "What might happen next?" This builds comprehension skills naturally.
For grammar and spelling: Use everyday opportunities. Spot interesting words in books, discuss sentence structure, play word games in the car.
The goal isn't to turn your home into a classroom. It's about normalising learning as part of daily life.
This is perhaps the most important point. The parent bragging about their tutor, the one whose child is "already working at greater depth," the Facebook post about intensive revision schedules... none of this matters for your child.
Every child is different. Some need more support, some need less. Some thrive with structure, others crumble under pressure. Your job is to support your child's journey, not replicate someone else's.
When Should You Consider Extra Support?
Not every child needs a tutor or extra classes. But if any of these apply, this is a good time to seek additional support:
Consistent struggles in a specific area. If your child regularly comes home confused about fractions, or dreading reading comprehension, targeted help can make a huge difference.
Lack of confidence despite ability. Some children understand the concepts but panic in test situations. They need strategies for managing exam anxiety and building self-belief.
You're both getting stressed about homework. If SATs prep is causing tears and arguments, bringing in a professional means you can go back to being the supportive parent rather than the stressed teacher.
Your child is aiming for grammar school or high sets. If you're hoping they'll be placed in top sets at secondary school, ensuring they're working comfortably at expected standard (or above) gives them the best chance.
You work full-time and can't provide consistent support. There's absolutely no shame in this. Many parents simply don't have the time or energy for intensive homework support alongside work commitments.
If you're thinking about extra support, you don't have to jump straight to expensive one-to-one tutoring. Small group tuition offers a middle ground that works brilliantly for many Year 6 children.
Our Year 6 Tuition Club runs weekly sessions with just 3-5 children per group.
This means your child gets:
Focused attention without the intensity of one-to-one sessions
Peer learning where they can learn from others' questions and approaches
Structured preparation covering all the key SATs topics systematically
Expert teaching from experienced Year 6 teachers who know exactly what the tests require
Exam strategies including time management and how to approach different question types
Mindfulness techniques to manage test anxiety
All of this for £26.50 per week, which is significantly more affordable than private tutoring whilst still providing high-quality, personalised support.
The sessions follow the school year structure, so your child builds confidence gradually. They work on comprehension skills linked to common SATs questions, revise key grammar topics, practise arithmetic and reasoning, and learn practical test techniques.
Importantly, they also learn that SATs are manageable. When children are prepared and confident, the anxiety melts away.
What You Definitely Shouldn't Do
As important as what you should do is what you shouldn't:
Don't start drilling practice papers every weekend. This leads to burnout and makes children hate learning. There's plenty of time for targeted practice paper work closer to May.
Don't talk about SATs constantly. Yes, they're important, but they're not the only thing happening in Year 6. Your child still needs time for hobbies, friends, family, and fun.
Don't transfer your anxiety to your child. Children are incredibly perceptive. If you're stressed and worried, they'll pick up on it and assume they should be stressed too.
Don't compare their mock scores to the expected standard yet. Early autumn mocks are often deliberately challenging to identify gaps. These scores will improve with practice and teaching.
Don't cancel all activities and fun. Some parents pull children out of sports, music, and social activities to "focus on SATs." This is almost always counterproductive. Children need balance, downtime, and joy.
Here's what a sensible SATs preparation timeline looks like:
Autumn Term (Now): Assess where your child is. Establish daily reading and maths habits. Address any major gaps. Enjoy Christmas without guilt.
January-February: Ramp up slightly. Introduce some practice questions (not full papers) to familiarise them with question styles. Continue building confidence in weak areas.
March-April: More focused practice. Start doing timed papers under realistic conditions. Work on exam technique and time management.
Easter holidays: Balanced revision. Some practice, but also rest and fun.
May (before SATs week): Light revision only. Focus on confidence-building, managing nerves, and practical prep like getting early nights.
Notice what's missing? Panic, cramming, and misery.
Here's something important to remember: the SATs are not your child's defining moment. They're one snapshot of their learning at age 10-11. They matter, but they're not everything.
What matters more is that your child:
The SATs will be over in four days in May. The relationship you build with your child around learning, the confidence they develop, and the mindset they carry forward... these last a lifetime.
Should you be worried? No. Should you be proactive? Yes.
Have a conversation with your child's teacher. Establish some good daily habits. Consider whether your child would benefit from additional support. Make a sensible plan that doesn't involve stress, tears, or misery.
And remember: your child has been learning for six years to get to this point. They know more than you think they do. With the right support and a calm, confident approach, they'll be absolutely fine.
Your job isn't to be their teacher or their tutor. Your job is to be their cheerleader, their safe space, and the person who believes in them even when they doubt themselves.
You've got this. And so do they
FAQs
1. Is it too late to start SATs preparation?
No, you're perfectly on time. With several months until May 2026, there's plenty of time to address gaps and build confidence without creating burnout or stress.
2. How much SATs revision should my Year 6 child be doing?
Right now, focus on building daily habits: 10-15 minutes of maths practice and 20 minutes of reading. Save full practice papers for March-April when they're more confident.
3. Should I hire a tutor for my Year 6 child?
Consider tutoring if your child consistently struggles, lacks confidence, or if homework causes family stress. Small group sessions offer expert support at a more affordable price than one-to-one tutoring.
4. What should I do if my child is anxious about SATs?
Keep SATs in perspective. Don't talk about them constantly, avoid comparing your child to others, and maintain normal routines including activities and fun. Focus on building confidence through manageable practice rather than pressure. If anxiety persists, consider small group tuition which often includes mindfulness techniques and teaches children that SATs are manageable with the right preparation.
5. When will my child get their SATs results?
Results are released to schools in early July 2026. Your child receives a scaled score (80-120, with 100 being expected standard). Schools share these with you in the end-of-year report.
6. Are practice papers worth doing now?
One or two practice papers can help identify gaps, but don't overdo it. Save timed papers for March-April. Too many too early creates anxiety without real benefit.
7. What if my child's teacher says they're "working towards expected"?
This is very common in autumn term and not a cause for panic. Focus on specific areas needing support. Many children reach expected standard by May with consistent practice.
8. How do I support SATs prep if I work full-time?
Focus on quality over quantity: 10 minutes of times tables, 20 minutes of reading, and mental maths games in the car. If you can't provide consistent support, consider small group tuition.
