It is true that the majority of year 6 is a complete waste of time, with the SATs prep. Having taught year 6 for many years previous to having my children, I know this first hand. I have always thought that if my two were in school at that point, that I’d take them out for year 6. The teachers will be under alot of pressure at this time of year too, and they won’t grant you leave, since your son is expected to get level 4/5. I can tell you that they would happily grant leave unofficially to a child who might make their results look bad though! Its all very cynical.
The issue for me would be all the time wasted in preparation, I can’t see that just taking your son out for the tests really solves the problem, unless he’s particularly anxious about the tests themselves?
Imo, the year 6 SATs are a complete waste of time, since most secondary schools (well, the ones I know), re-test when the kids start there for setting purposes etc

I had a look at the other thread on netmums lasty night and OMG you really did get a bashing didn’t you!! Goodness that can’t have helped much. I just wanted to tell you that I went to bed lat night thinking of you and the horrible things others had said. Well done for being able to reply so thoughtfully to those comments, I wish you luck with your decision and yes - I loved the comment about meeting your children 15 yrs from now… I’m just starting to HE my DS at 2yrs and take a great deal of strength from you and others who HE.

Much love, Charlotte

Not worth expending energy over negative narrow-minded people.  There are enough of them to keep you stressed out for*ever*!  (The last time I got involved in a conversation like that, I ditched IVillage and went offline for about six months!)

I think my decision would likely be to take my child out for a few months to avoid the boredom and frustration of test preparation - but honestly as the others have said it seems fairest to be guided by what he wants.  If he really wants to be there in spite of the drawbacks, I think I would let him make that choice for himself.  If the consequences started to spread to the rest of the family (ie severe mood swings etc) I might be inclined to take that decision away from them…  But I don’t know *how* I would handle it!  I guess it’s so hard to imagine, since every child is so different and so much their own person.

Firstly, big hugs to you mama and all other mums whose children are doing SATs next week.

Secondly, mama, I have never joined mumsnet but I have had a very fleeting look at the website and it didn’t seem to be a very positive place.  I don’t mean to generalise but my local coffeeshop is a regular haunt for a mumsnet get together and well, no comment…ahem, anyway moving on please don’t become downhearted about those nasty comments.  The mainstream media doesn’t exactly push subjects like home education so people are still really ignorant about it.  The fact of the matter is that your son is above expectations so home education hasn’t harmed him has it?

My son is also at level 4 in writing and level 5 in the reading and maths.  He is actually upset at the moment because he is in the top maths set and some of the others in his group are being entered for the level 6 maths paper but he isn’t.  He actually feels like he has already failed in some way.  This has really saddened me because he is good at maths and he now feels like he has failed before he’s started them.  He’s quite worried about the writing paper as he does have some issues with his handwriting even though he is in line for a 4b.  He is happy that he will be able to go in and work in the peace and quiet though.

I think you could have trouble with the school if you remove him next week.  The difference with the year 6 SATs from the year 2 SATs is that they are marked externally rather than in school like year 2 SATs and we all know about league tables, reputations and the like.  I agree with what the others have said if your child is ok about it then I wouldn’t worry too much about letting him do the tests.  Unfortunately this is how it is in the school system.  Apparently at high school the children are tested at the end of EVERY term and then of course the GCSEs and A levels etc.  I think if you are regretting sending him back to school then you could home ed again before he starts high school, would your ds want to do this again?

At the end of the day it sounds like your son will do well and it is thanks to you being his wonderful mother and teacher, no one can take that away from you.

Our son is not going to be doing any last minute cramming this weekend, we have got some activities and days out planned and he is going to have a nice fun and relaxing time.  If you do let your son take them, just try and be positive about them (even though you’re not!) it is possible that he might be more relaxed than you think and will probably breeze through them!!