Year 6 after SATs: make the move towards secondary school feel manageable
For many Year 6 pupils in England, the middle of May marks a change of pace after SATs. Some feel relieved. Others find that worries about secondary school suddenly have more room to grow. Neither reaction means that something is wrong.
This retrospective guide for 18 May 2026 focuses on the weeks after the tests. Rather than starting another revision programme, parents can help children make sense of the transition ahead. The aim is familiarity and confidence, not getting ahead of the Year 7 curriculum.
1. Give the end of SATs a clear stopping point
Acknowledge the effort your child put in without asking them to predict their results. Try: “You kept going with some challenging work. What would you like to do this weekend?” A walk, a favourite meal or time with friends can mark the change without making a reward depend on scores.
Keep schoolwork within the expectations set by their teacher. There is no need to replace SATs preparation with daily secondary school worksheets.
If your child keeps revisiting an answer, respond briefly and kindly: “We cannot change that paper now. You do not have to solve it again tonight.” Then offer a choice of ordinary activities. Moving on is easier when there is something concrete to do next.
2. Turn big worries into questions someone can answer
“What if secondary school is awful?” is difficult to tackle. “Where do I go if I lose my timetable?” has a practical answer.
Ask your child to name one thing they are looking forward to and one thing they would like explained. Write down their actual questions rather than supplying a list of possible problems.
Sort the questions together:
- Questions for the new school, such as how lunch payments work.
- Questions for the current teacher, such as what happens during a transition visit.
- Things to try together, such as checking the proposed journey.
Avoid promising that they will never get lost or feel nervous. A more useful message is that unfamiliar situations become easier when you know how to ask for help.
3. Prepare for transition visits with a small mission
When the school confirms a visit, choose three things your child wants to find out. These might be where pupils seek help, what equipment they need and how they find their first lesson.
Practise one simple question aloud: “Please could you tell me who I should speak to if I am worried?” This gives a quieter child words they can use without needing a confident performance.
Afterwards, avoid a rapid series of questions. Start with “What felt different from primary school?” Later, check whether their three questions were answered. Use official school information or contact the school for anything still unclear, rather than relying on rumours from other children.
4. Keep learning purposeful and pressure light
A small shared task can maintain skills without feeling like another test. Ask your child to plan a meal within a £12 budget, comparing prices and explaining their choices. Alternatively, let them write a short review of a book, film or game for someone who has not encountered it.
If a difficulty keeps appearing, such as trouble understanding written instructions, choose that specific skill for support. Do not treat every mistake as evidence that they are unready for secondary school.
For targeted help, GoodGrade Tutors offers one to one tutoring online across the UK and in person in selected areas. Take the free 2 minute quiz to explore support that fits your child's needs.