Ah now that makes a lot of sense and explains a lot! Especailly is HMI still checking up on them as they do
Yep you are totally right in what you say, then the added 11+ tests that we have here in Kent for grammar schools too.  However, once at secondary level, they take no notice of the SATs scores that are passed on - ironic
Yes year 3 and year 4, the magickal years where everything needs to tie up as it informs the next stages of learning, without the basic building blocks in place - oh my life! I had a mixed year 2/3/4 class, was fun but lots of hard work being the long term supply! x

I remember taking my year 2 SATS and I’m 25.  I was struggling to follow instructions in year 2 because I’d suddenly gone deaf (fully deaf in one ear, half deaf in the other) and I remember trying to talk about the answer to one of the questions and not understanding why I wasn’t allowed!