SATs Results 2024: Headlines & Next Steps For Senior Leaders

This article was originally published on 10th July 2024.

The Key Stage 2 SATs results 2024 are in. Here is everything you need to know, from implications for your school to the next steps for senior leaders and how to explain and discuss them with teachers, parents and children.

We will be reviewing the 2024 SATs results with a specific focus on the impact of the maths arithmetic and reasoning papers.

Remember, this Year 6 cohort missed a significant amount of school time due to the Covid pandemic in Years 2 and 3 and did not sit the Key Stage 1 SATs in Year 2. 

Despite this, no allowances were made in the 2024 maths papers, which contained the highest proportion of Year 6 content seen in the past six years. The majority of complaints about the difficulty level centred on Paper 2, the first of the two reasoning papers.

The big question is whether this year’s results will reflect the increased difficulty of the maths papers, plus how this will impact the scores children need to achieve to reach the expected level. With last year’s maths pass mark being the lowest ever, has 2024 continued this trend?

National attainment slightly up compared to 2023 

Let’s begin by taking a look at the national picture for SATs 2024.

• 61% of pupils reached the expected standard in all of reading, writing and maths, up 1% from 60%* in 2023
• 74% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, up from 73% in 2023
• 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in maths, unchanged from 73% in 2023
• 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in writing, up from 71% in 2023
• 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in English grammar, punctuation and spelling, unchanged from 72% in 2023

*This figure was 59% this time last year, but it looks to have been updated with more recent data after remarks

Overall, there has been a modest 1% increase in the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths (combined) compared to the national attainment in 2023.

The percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in both reading and writing has also increased by 1%, while the percentage achieving the expected standard in maths and grammar, punctuation (GPS), and spelling remains unchanged.

Later in this blog, we’ll delve into these results by examining the raw scores and corresponding scaled scores for each subject. We will also compare the scores from the pre-Covid period to see how this cohort, in the third cycle of KS2 SATs post-pandemic, measures up against the cohorts from 2018 and 2019.

National attainment remains below pre-pandemic levels of 2019

Despite a slight increase in pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined (and in both reading and writing individually), overall results remain well below those scored in 2018 and 2019, the last two SATs cycles before the pandemic.

Whilst the overall combined score has increased each year since 2022, it remains 4% below the combined percentage from 2019. Individually, only reading is in line with pre-pandemic levels while writing, maths, and GPS are all 6% lower than they were before Covid.

In the three years leading up to the pandemic, combined attainment steadily increased each year. The three years following the pandemic show a similar overall upward trend for the combined subjects and for writing individually. However, maths and GPS scores have remained more static, not following the upward trajectory observed before the pandemic.

Scores in the reading test have been the least affected by Covid, with results only fluctuating slightly over the past six years, both in the three years prior to and the three years since the pandemic.

What were the raw and scaled scores for SATs 2024?

Pupils’ raw scores for each paper are converted into standardised scores. To reach the expected standard (EXS), a pupil must achieve a score of 100. A score of 110 or higher indicates that a pupil is working at greater depth, or ‘meeting the higher standard’.

A drop in the raw score to achieve expected level in maths

Given the overall increased difficulty in maths this year, a drop in the raw score needed to achieve the expected level is not surprising.

For the first time, the required percentage fell below 50%, with a raw score of 54 needed, compared to 56 in 2021 and 58 in the two years before the pandemic. This 2-mark decrease in 2024 follows a similar 2-mark drop between 2022 and 2023, making this year’s required score 4 marks lower than the score pupils needed in 2019.

Following last year’s challenging reading paper, which saw a 5-mark reduction in the raw score required to achieve the expected level, this year’s score has risen back in line with previous years. The score needed for 2024 has increased by 3 marks compared to last year, now requiring 27 marks for pupils to have met the expected standard.

The score required for the GPS paper continues to be the most consistent of the three papers, with the raw score required generally fluctuating around 35/36. This year’s required score of 35 marks is 1 mark lower than in 2023 and 2019, but the same as the score required in 2022.

No change in average scaled scores 

The average scaled score represents the mean scaled score for all pupils, ranging from 80 to 120. This score provides insight into the typical performance of pupils taking the tests, reflecting the performance across the full range of scores.

In contrast, the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard only considers those with a scaled score of 100 or above.

Average scaled scores have shown very little variation over the past 5 years, with the pandemic having no negative impact on reading and only minimal impact on maths and GPS scores (a drop in 1 mark from 2019-2022).

These scores have remained unchanged for the past three SATs cycles, continuing to be 1 mark below the pre-pandemic scores.

These scores in isolation don’t provide us with a comprehensive understanding of the national picture each year, as the raw scores to standardised scores vary.

For example, in 2023, the lowest scaled score available was 80 for a raw score of 3 marks, while in 2024 the lowest available standardised score was 81, for the same raw score. If we look at another example from 2023, a raw score of 18 marks, gave a standardised score of 88, whilst the same raw score this year gave a standardised score of 90.

Finally, let’s look at the pass mark, a standardised score of 100. In 2023, this was a raw score of 56 marks, while in 2024 a raw score of 54 marks was needed.

Children across the full range of raw scores needed to score less for the average scaled score to remain the same in 2024, as it was in 2023. The fact that the average standardised score for each subject has remained consistent over the last 5 SATs cycles has more to do with raw to standardised scores changing, than showing that the average standardised score hasn’t changed.

SATs 2024 maths paper analysis: how did content domains relate to marks?

While we are examining the SATs results across all areas, our particular expertise at Third Space Learning lies in maths. Our focus will therefore centre on analysing the year group content and content domain breakdown of the 2024 maths SATs.

Large increase in percentage of Year 6 content

The 2024 maths papers saw a complete reversal from 2023, where we saw the lowest-ever percentage of content coming from the Year 6 curriculum.

This year, the percentage of Year 6 content increased by 12% to 48%, matching the highest percentage seen over the last 5 SATs cycles and is now broadly in line with the percentages seen in the 2 years leading up to the pandemic.

Despite this increase in Year 6 content, it is still possible to pass the 2024 maths SATs with only knowledge from Years 3 to 5, with 49% required and 52% of the content coming from Years 3 to 5. However, this is down considerably from 2023, when the pass mark was 51%, but the content from Years 3 to 5 was 64%.

Children could comfortably reach expected standard in 2024 SATs by focusing on just two content domains

Since the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the percentage of content drawn from the two largest content domains; calculations and fractions, decimals & percentages (FDP).

With 61% of this year’s papers coming from these 2 content domains, it would have again been possible to comfortably reach the expected standard in this year’s SATs by only focusing on these two content domains.

SATs arithmetic test continues to be key in achieving good maths score

As with previous years, maths Paper 1 (arithmetic) remains the easiest paper to prepare pupils for. The content of this paper is generally straightforward to predict and it’s clear that if pupils are confident in the four operations and calculating with fractions, they will have a good chance of achieving a high score, regardless of their confidence in other arithmetic areas.

The reasoning papers, Paper 2 and Paper 3, are much more difficult to predict, with content drawn from a wider range of content domains and a wider pool of question styles.

This year, only 54 marks were required across all 3 papers, for pupils to achieve the expected standard. With the number of marks available on the arithmetic paper being 40, it is clear that a pupil can pass by only scoring well on this paper.

If, for example, a pupil scored 30/40 on the arithmetic paper, they could achieve the expected level by only scoring 11/35 in both maths Paper 2 and 3.

KS2 SATs results 2024: next steps for your school

1. Compare your school performance to national data

You’ll want to know how your school compares to the national data for primary schools in England, for the combined reading, writing, and maths expected standard, as well as the expected standard levels for each subject.

Keep in mind that the smaller your cohort, the less statistically significant the national data will be.

You can find SATs Key Stage 2 results by school on the government’s school comparison service.

2. Carefully check whether any papers need to be submitted for remarking

When the SATs tests are marked, mistakes can occur, especially given the large volume of papers. Review your school’s results for each subject and identify any pupils who are within three marks of the cut-off for reaching the expected level.

Download the published mark scheme and carefully review the papers of these borderline pupils to ensure no marks have been missed. Pay particular attention to instances where pupils received a zero but should have earned marks for their calculations. Ensure that any workings outside the designated answer area have been considered.

If you believe a child may have received a lower score than they deserve, it is worthwhile to apply for a review and re-marking of those papers.

Be aware: SATs paper marking errors can go either way!

While it is true that marks can be missed during the initial marking, it is also possible that marks have been awarded incorrectly. Be aware that when submitting papers for remarking, there is a risk that pupils could lose marks.

For example, if you identify missed marks on a maths paper and request a remark, all three papers will be reviewed. Therefore, it is crucial to check carefully before submitting. Additionally, there is a cost associated with the review if no changes are made to the original marking decision.

3. Analyse the results to identify areas of strength and development

Before the end of term, dedicate time to thoroughly review the SATs results to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cohort’s performance. Identify areas of strength and weakness among the topics covered. Use these insights to inform planning for the upcoming year.

Is there a disparity in attainment among any key groups? If so, what strategies can be implemented to bridge these gaps?

It is important to look at key groups such as Pupil Premium versus non-Pupil Premium, boys versus girls, and EAL (English as an Additional Language) versus non-EAL.

Analyse the data for any trends and patterns, and consider possible reasons for any disparities. Once identified, consider how these variations can be mitigated in future years to narrow any achievement gaps as effectively as possible.

As SATs assess the entirety of KS2, any interventions should span across all KS2 years, not just focusing on Years 5 and 6.

4. No progress scores for pupils in 2024 or 2025

This cohort of pupils has no KS1 statutory teacher assessment data, due to the cancellation of KS1 SATs during the Covid pandemic. This means KS1 to KS2 progress measures can’t be calculated.

5. Reporting KS2 SATs results to children and parents

Schools have a statutory responsibility to report the pupils’ SATs results to parents.

For pupils in KS2, end-of-year reports must include the following:

• The child’s SATs results, detailing their scaled score and whether they met the expected standard;
• The outcomes of statutory national curriculum Teacher Assessments (TAs) in English, writing, and science;
• An explanation, if applicable, as to why any national curriculum test was not taken.

KS2 reports must also include comparative information about the attainment of pupils the same age:

• In the school;
• In the core subject nationally.

It is also a legal requirement that you provide enough time for parents to have the opportunity to discuss the results if they wish.

6. Headteachers: remember to support your staff, regardless of the results

SATs results can be a stressful time for school leaders, but it’s crucial to remember that all staff members will also need your support.

If the 2024 SATs results are positive, it’s important to celebrate this achievement with all staff, not just the Year 6 teachers. Many other teachers and support staff have contributed to these results and deserve recognition and celebration.

On the other hand, if the results are not as expected, leaders must be there to support all staff, especially the Year 6 teachers who may feel a disproportionate level of responsibility. It’s essential to reassure these teachers that the outcomes are not solely their responsibility.

The key thing to remember is that KS2 SATs are a collective effort involving the entire school community, regardless of the outcome.

7. What else can you do for your Year 6 pupils?

Beyond the statutory letter, each school has the autonomy to decide how they handle SATs results.

It’s important to recognise that children will react differently to their SATs results. While some may accept them calmly, others might find them distressing.

Where possible, it’s beneficial to allocate time to sit with each child individually and discuss their test results alongside teacher assessments. This allows staff to demonstrate to pupils that SATs are not the only measure of their abilities.

It also provides an opportunity to help children understand that their progress throughout the entire year is what truly counts, not just their SATs scores.

8. Celebrate the positives in your 2024 SATs results!

While it’s natural to occasionally dwell on the negatives, especially if your headline figures aren’t as expected, it’s equally important to seek out the positives.

These might include individual successes among children or groups or specific aspects of the tests where your entire cohort performed well. These achievements are all worth celebrating.

Certainly, use the results to identify areas for improvement in the coming year. However, it’s important to remember that your pupils are more than just the scores they achieved on their SATs.

How can Third Space Learning improve SATs results in maths?

Over the past decade, schools like yours have trusted Third Space Learning’s SATs revision programme to help more Year 6 pupils reach the expected standard in maths. In our low-stakes, one-to-one environment, our specialist maths tutors have supported thousands of target pupils to address misconceptions and secure topics they were less confident with.

Our Curriculum Team review the SATs papers each year to identify the highest-impact topics and adjust the programme accordingly. The lessons follow an ‘I do, we do, you do’ approach to move pupils from guided to independent practice, featuring lots of exposure to SATs-style questions.

Each year, we love hearing SATs success stories from schools like yours whose pupils met the expected standard with Third Space Learning’s online one-to-one maths tuition. And this year is no exception!

Here are a few of our favourite success stories: