DfE-Funded – East Midlands KS2 SATs Support Sessions - Northamptonshire

Supporting Year 6 teachers through KS2 SATs

As the KS2 SATs period approaches, Year 6 teams are juggling high expectations with the everyday realities of classroom life. You're not just preparing pupils for assessments, you're managing workload, supporting colleagues and trying to make sure nothing important gets missed in the run up to May.

This session is part of a growing regional programme designed to help with exactly that.

Last year, our KS2 SATs Support Network brought Year 6 teachers and school leaders together across three regional events, alongside a library of free resources including presentations and expert videos. The response told us a lot. Teachers valued having direct access to expert input, the chance to learn from colleagues facing the same challenges, and practical guidance they could take straight back into the classroom, rather than more theory to file away.

This year, we're building on that. This face to face session brings together Year 6 teachers from across the region for a day of workshops shaped around the specific needs of your area, alongside a dedicated SEND session covering pupil groupings and common assessment pitfalls.

You'll come away with strategies you can use straight away, a stronger sense of what's working elsewhere, and a bit of reassurance that you're not tackling this alone.

Session Features:

• Safe and supportive environment – time and space to reflect, share and learn

• Practitioner-led inputs – guidance shaped around the specific needs of your region

• Peer learning opportunities – fostering honest conversations in a professional and respectful space

• Practical insights into key challenges, including:

  • SEND considerations, groupings, and compliance

  • Effective styles and approaches to assessment preparation

• Access to shared resources, including:

  • A regional Padlet of high-quality tools and materials

  • Recordings of key expert inputs for future reference

• Ongoing community-building – these events aim to spark a professional network that continues beyond the sessions to support Year 6 colleagues throughout the year

Who’s Involved?

Sessions will be designed and facilitated by experienced school leaders and Year 6 specialists, with additional input and support from:

• Multi-Academy Trust colleagues

• Local Authority and MAT moderation teams

• DfE-funded partners, including curriculum and subject hubs

Confirmed workshops

Workshop 1: Using EEF research-led practice

Facilitated by Simon Blight.

Using evidence-informed approaches to transform outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, this session showcases how EEF research has rapidly raised aspirational teaching and learning practice. Explore a range of leadership and improvement systems, including intervention mapping to strengthen Quality First Teaching, the use of the Pixel platform to identify barriers and track progress over time, and leadership processes that ensure data drives responsive curriculum adaptation. The session will also share practical strategies from Mark Rowland to support successful pupil premium outcomes and sustained school improvement.

Workshop 2: Pupil progress meetings

Facilitated by Anna Carter, Director & Strategic Lead, NPAT schools

Discover how strategic leadership and a strong culture of team accountability can rapidly improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Drawing on key themes from Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools by Marc Rowland, this session combines research-informed practice with a compelling school case study, showcasing practical approaches to raising aspirations, improving provision, and securing sustainable impact for vulnerable learners.

Workshop 3: Fluency, Reasoning and Quality First Maths

Facilitated by the East Midlands Maths Hub.

An expert led workshop supporting colleagues to inspire and challenge mathematical thinking, refine pedagogy and strengthen quality first teaching. Targeted around regional and local data outcomes, each session focuses on delivering high quality provision for disadvantaged and SEND learners. Maths specialists will lead an exciting, practical workshop on developing pupils’ fluency and multiplicative reasoning, and explore SATs questions. They will also guide practitioners in developing Teaching Assistants to effectively support aspirational practice in the classroom.

Workshop 4: Empowering Every Learner Through Digital Innovation

Facilitated by Sallyann Mitchell, Sunnyside Spencer Academy

Discover how an Apple Distinguished School has embedded highly effective pedagogical approaches to enhance teaching and learning through technology. This session will showcase how digital tools are used to strengthen provision for disadvantaged pupils, support whole-child development, and create engaging, inclusive learning experiences. Participants will gain practical guidance on integrating technology into everyday practice, alongside insights into the school's innovative curriculum carousel and the impact it has had on pupil outcomes, personal development, and aspiration.

SEND Workshop - Supporting SEND Pupils to Succeed in SATs

Facilitated by Amy Storer, Leadership, Inclusion & Behaviour Specialist.

Explore how schools can use statutory access arrangements effectively to support pupils with SEND during SATs and other assessments. This session will share practical strategies to reduce barriers, build confidence, and ensure every pupil has the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Full agenda details will be released soon. Workshop information may be subject to change.