SATs

This week at school Year 9 are sitting their Key Stage 3 SATs.

The faffing around that goes on in setting up exams is amazing - had to have been developed by a teacher, and a male one at that.

First of all the tables and chairs have to be set out in the hall. Then someone has to go around with a tape measure and check each and everyone is the correct distance apart. Once this has been done a name label goes on the table - and stays there for the week. Each student sits at the same table for each exam - no variation is allowed.

Then we come to the papers - they have to be locked in a safe. A safe that is bolted to the floor in a room with barred windows and a windowless door with extra security locks. The papers are removed from the safe in sealed bags and escorted down to the hall. The papers cannot be removed from the bag until all the students are seated (in alphabetical order). The bags are opened and the papers removed. They are handed out. Anyone in the exam hall, student, teacher or invigilators, are not permitted to leave the hall until the exam is completed. Once the papers are gathered and placed back in the secure bag, then people can leave.

The papers are then sorted alphabetically and removed daily from the premises by Parcelforce off to the various exam boards for marking.

The whole thing is so secure - and they can come in and check on you without warning.

The students, couldn't care less. As far as parents and students are concerned KS3 SATs are for the school's benefit not theirs. Little do the realise that these results will determine which GSCE band they get put in.

Hey ho - I don't have to sit them so that's all that matters!