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News20th March 2026

RISE webinar series: practical guidance for Year 6 SATs preparation

Schools across the country are preparing their pupils for KS2 SATs in May. As part of the universal RISE offer – a new regional initiative providing targeted, expert-led support for schools – Ark has partnered with the Department for Education to deliver a series of practical webinars for Year 6 teachers and leaders.

The sessions, now available to watch online, focus on the approaches that have the most impact in the final months of preparation, from strengthening subject knowledge to refining school‑wide planning.

Together, the three webinars provide accessible, evidence‑informed guidance for teachers and leaders nationwide as they navigate the crucial final phase of SATs preparation.

Raising maths outcomes

Jon Howlett, Ark’s Network Lead for Primary Maths, shares practical guidance drawn from his work across the network. He highlights the small, targeted adjustments that help pupils secure key arithmetic and reasoning skills, showing how purposeful practice and clear responses to misconceptions can make a measurable difference before SATs.

Strengthening reading outcomes

Hayley Francis, Headteacher at Ark Tindal Primary, brings a sharp focus to reading. Her session shares practical strategies for strengthening comprehension, supporting pupils with more demanding texts and using assessment to guide targeted instruction. The emphasis throughout is on confidence, consistency and preparing pupils for the demands of the SATs reading paper.

Maximising impact

Executive Principals Anne Hibberd and Victoria Twort explore how schools can make the most effective use of the weeks still available. Their session looks at identifying priorities through assessment, planning revision sequences, organising high‑impact interventions, and ensuring pupils have the pastoral support and access arrangements they need during test week.