To All Those Taking SATs This Coming Week

Hello, Year Six Students,

I doubt you normally read my blog, maybe your Mum or Dad or a Grandparent sent you a link to my blog or a screenshot or you did a google search and somehow ended up here because like hundreds of other children, this coming week you are taking your SATs.

Right, let's talk about the Elephant in the room.

a picture of PippaD

I know you know it already, but yes, I'm old but I beg you don't let that put you off listening to me.

The good thing about being old is that as well as knowing how to fix computers, cook a roast dinner and where the good biscuits are hidden is that you get all this knowledge about stuff and some old people, like myself, want to pass that knowledge on.

And I don't mean knowledge like what a pronoun is or what a great sentence structure is.

Don't get me wrong, it's important to know stuff like that, but it isn't the be all and end all. In fact when my son talks to me about nouns and verbs and adjectives he has to explain to me what they are, so be kind when your parents don't know either will you?

Secondly. I say this almost every year to children your age who are going to be taking their SATs. I don't want you to think I'm talking down to you, or telling you what your parents or teachers have said isn't true, but SATs don't really mean anything.

Yes, it is important you try your hardest because the School you are going to next will look at the results you have got, so they know where to place you. You wouldn't want to be in a class that was too easy for you, it would get boring and you wouldn't want to be placed in a class that was too hard, you'd learn nothing and would hate School.

Top Ender and Dan Jon Jr

The SATs show us how well the teachers you have had up until now have taught you and I know that seems unfair, why test you instead of the teachers, but you guys are so honest that of course, we know you will tell the truth and it's about you showing us if there are problems so we can help you fix the gaps in your knowledge and one day you can be, I dunno, whatever it is you want to be!

A photographer, a teacher, a games designer, a youtube star, a TV Presenter, a politician, a Doctor, a vet, a Fireman, a Nurse... anything is possible if you try your hardest and listen to those who want to help you.

So this week, get plenty of rest, eat right, get some exercise in, spend time with your friends, do what you love, make sure you read or even get read to, stretch your creative muscles, tell your family you love them and don't worry about the exams.

You will do brilliantly as long as you try your best and I know that at the end of it all, you will still be the amazing person you always have been.