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

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: Reading Detectives: Developing Independent Readers and Writers Through Reciprocal Reading

Facilitated by Sarah Hepworth, Redwell, NENE Education Trust

Explore how Reciprocal Reading strategies have developed pupils’ independent reading skills through the use of Predictor, Summariser, Clarifier and Questioner roles. Learn how these approaches support reading, strengthen writing outcomes, and discover the impact of a place value of grammar strategy in preparing pupils for successful transition to secondary education.

Workshop 2: Fluency Programme

Facilitated by Laurie Baczynski, Wyndham Spencer Academy.

At Wyndham Spencer Academy, disadvantaged pupils now attain in line with national in Maths. This session shares the practice behind that progress, looking at how the school strengthens the teaching of Maths for disadvantaged pupil groups to secure the expected standard, using effective pedagogy and guided assessment techniques to accelerate learning and drive meaningful outcomes.

Workshop 3: Fluency, Reasoning and Quality First Maths

Facilitator TBC.

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 Learning Through Digital Pedagogy

Facilitated by Jo Stone and Dan Smith, Discovery Trust

See how high-quality educational technology is being used to enhance learning and raise aspirations for disadvantaged pupils. Through hands-on digital exploration, this session will build confidence in using digital pedagogy to strengthen teaching practice and support high-quality first teaching.

SEND Workshop - How do we intentionally create the conditions for SEND pupils to thrive?

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

Explore the strategies, culture and provision that enable every learner to succeed, with a focus on inclusive, high-quality teaching and support.

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