Case Study: The impact of SATs Companion assessments on intervention at Laindon Park Primary School & Nursery
Introduction
Laindon Primary School, a one-form entry school in Essex, faced the challenge of addressing learning gaps exacerbated by the pandemic, with mathematics emerging as a significant area of concern. Seeking a solution, the school embraced SATs Companion, the online platform designed to streamline assessments and interventions.
This case study explores Laindon Primary's journey with SATs Companion through interviews with staff, highlighting its impact on pupil attainment, teacher workload, and overall school community engagement.
This case study explores Laindon Primary's journey with SATs Companion through interviews with staff, highlighting its impact on pupil attainment, teacher workload, and overall school community engagement.
Understanding the School Context
Laindon Park is a 1-form entry school, with 29 pupils in Year 6. There is a high percentage of SEND and PPG.
Transitioning from Traditional Methods
Before integrating SATs Companion, the school relied on resources such as CGP practice papers and past exam papers. However, recognising the need for a more streamlined approach, the school switched to SATs Companion based on its potential to reduce marking workload and support SATs preparation.
Implementing SATs Companion
At Laindon Park, SATs Companion quickly became an integral part of the school's routine. "We timetable the children into groups and have a specific adult take them to the computer room to work through their SATs Companion tasks." SATs Companion is utilised for assessments and interventions, with some pupils even engaging with it as additional homework. "During afternoon sessions, children go into our computer room with the person leading interventions and complete tasks set from gaps."
Impact on Attainment and Engagement
The implementation of SATs Companion at Laindon Primary School has yielded improvements in pupil attainment and engagement, particularly in mathematics. Through targeted interventions and personalised tasks facilitated by SATs Companion, the school has witnessed a notable increase in academic performance. The benefits of SATs Companion were evident across the board.
Streamlining Teacher Workload
With its automated marking system, SATs Companion has eliminated the time-consuming task of manually grading tests or homework. As one staff member attested, "SATs Companion has reduced teacher workload (especially with marking)."
Moreover, SATs Companion's versatility allows for the customisation of intervention tasks to suit the individual needs of each student. Staff members have found it remarkably easy to set interventions tailored to specific learning gaps identified through the platform's assessments. They expressed confidence in the effectiveness of these interventions, knowing that they are precisely targeting the areas where students require additional support.
Parent Community Support
Parental support for SATs Companion at Laindon Primary School has been enthusiastic, underscoring its positive impact on pupils' academic journey. Parents have expressed gratitude for the platform, recognising its role in enhancing their children's learning experiences and supporting their learning. According to the team, "parents are grateful for SATs Companion, children enjoy using it and staff have seen the benefits of using it."
Video Lesson Success
SATs Companion's video lessons have proven to be a pivotal component of its success at Laindon Primary School, providing students with an enriching learning experience that extends beyond traditional methods. As one staff member highlighted "the videos help to explain concepts to the children in a slightly different way the teacher may have explained something which then aids the children's understanding." This alternative approach not only enhances comprehension but also caters to varied learning styles, ensuring that all pupils can grasp and apply key concepts with confidence.
SATs Companion's video lessons have proven to be a pivotal component of its success at Laindon Primary School, providing students with an enriching learning experience that extends beyond traditional methods. As one staff member highlighted "the videos help to explain concepts to the children in a slightly different way the teacher may have explained something which then aids the children's understanding." This alternative approach not only enhances comprehension but also caters to varied learning styles, ensuring that all pupils can grasp and apply key concepts with confidence.
Conclusion
Laindon Primary School's experience with SATs Companion exemplifies the transformative impact it has in addressing learning gaps. Furthermore, the platform's user-friendly interface and engaging content make it easy for pupils to navigate independently.