Year 6 is the last and busiest year of primary school: secondary school applications, the 11+ in some areas, KS2 SATs in May and the move to secondary school at the end of the summer. This guide is designed to help every family starting Year 6 get through the year calmly, step by step.
Drawing on years of work with families in England, this guide covers:
- The Year 6 calendar: 11+, secondary school applications (31 October), National Offer Day (1 March), SATs (May)
- Choosing a secondary school step by step: types of school, ranking preferences, waiting lists and appeals
- The 11+: what it is, when to start preparing, and whether your area has it
- KS2 SATs: preparing without the stress, SATs practice with IXL
- An independence checklist to get ready for secondary school, and home languages
- Month-by-month checklist: two small steps each month, a watch/listen suggestion, and one English book plus one in your home language
This guide is a living document. It will be updated regularly based on your questions and suggestions.
We'd love to hear your questions and comments
Log in to leave a comment below this post. For example:
- What mattered most to you when choosing a secondary school?
- Does your area have the 11+, and how did you prepare?
- What helped your child feel calm during SATs?
Please don't share your child's name, school or other personal details in the comments.