SATs Results Explained
What your child's scores actually mean, how they compare, and what happens next.
When Do SATs Results Arrive?
SATs results are sent to schools in mid-July, after external markers have finished assessing every paper. Schools then share results with parents, usually on the last day of the summer term or shortly before via letter or sealed envelope.
The exact date varies by school — some hand results out in person, others post them during the holidays. If you are unsure, ask your child’s class teacher or school office when to expect them.
What Your Results Letter Contains
Your child’s results letter will include scaled scores for the three tested subjects: Reading, Maths, and Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (GPS). Each score falls on a scale from 80 to 120.
You will also see teacher assessments for Writing and Science. These are not tested by formal SATs papers — instead, your child’s teacher evaluates their classwork and assigns a judgement of “working towards”, “expected standard”, or “greater depth”.
The letter will state whether your child has met the expected standard (scaled score of 100+) or achieved greater depth (110+) in each tested subject.
Understanding Scaled Scores
The scaled score range is 80 to 120. A score of 100 means your child has met the expected standard for Year 6. A score of 110 or above indicates greater depth — meaning they are working at a higher level than expected.
A score below 100 means the child has not met the expected standard. This is not a “fail” — it simply indicates they may need additional support in that area as they move to secondary school.
Raw marks (the actual number of correct answers) are converted into scaled scores using a conversion table that changes each year depending on paper difficulty. For a deeper explanation, see our SATs scoring explained guide.
National Averages
Nationally, around 65% of children meet the expected standard in reading, 70% in maths, and 72% in GPS. These figures vary slightly from year to year depending on paper difficulty and the cohort.
Try not to compare obsessively with national averages. They are useful as a rough benchmark, but every child is different. For a deeper look at the numbers, see our SATs national averages guide. What matters most is that your child is making progress relative to their own starting point, not where they sit against a national statistic.
What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Meet Expected Standard?
If your child scores below 100, their secondary school will be informed and will provide additional support to help them catch up. This might include extra literacy or numeracy sessions, smaller group teaching, or targeted intervention programmes.
Crucially, not meeting the expected standard does not affect which secondary school your child attends. Admissions are based on catchment areas, distance, and other criteria — not SATs scores.
Many children who score below 100 in Year 6 catch up quickly once they start secondary school. The transition brings new teachers, new approaches, and a fresh start.
Greater Depth — Should I Be Aiming for It?
Greater depth (a scaled score of 110+) is a bonus, not a requirement. Some children naturally work at this level, and it is wonderful if they do. But pushing a child to achieve greater depth at the expense of their wellbeing is not worth it.
It is also worth noting that grammar schools use their own 11+ entrance test, not SATs results, for admissions. Achieving greater depth in SATs is a positive sign, but it is a separate process entirely. Focus on your child doing their best, whatever that looks like.
How Secondary Schools Use SATs Results
Secondary schools receive your child’s SATs results before they arrive in September. They typically use the scores for setting or streaming — placing children into ability groups for subjects like maths and English.
Schools also use the data to identify children who may need additional support or challenge. Many secondary schools run their own baseline assessments in the first few weeks regardless, so SATs scores are one data point among several.
By Year 8, SATs results have minimal impact. Children are regularly reassessed, and sets are often adjusted based on ongoing performance. SATs are a snapshot of one week in Year 6, not a label that follows your child through secondary school.
What to Say When Results Arrive
Focus on effort, not numbers. Your child worked hard for months — that deserves recognition regardless of the outcome. “I’m really proud of how hard you tried” goes much further than “you got 105”.
If results are disappointing, acknowledge your child’s feelings without dismissing them. It is okay to feel sad or frustrated. Then gently remind them that SATs are one small part of their education, and secondary school is a fresh chapter with new opportunities.
If results are great, celebrate the achievement — but keep the emphasis on the work that went into it, not the score itself. This builds a healthy relationship with learning that will serve them well beyond primary school.
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