Teach-Primary-Issue-19.8

I f there’s one thing every Year 6 teacher knows, it’s that SATs season can feel like a marathon – a relentless cycle of planning, printing, marking and analysing. The pressure to get it right for every pupil can be all-consuming. Yet with so many digital tools now at our fingertips, many teachers are finding that the key to calm isn’t doing more; it’s doing things smarter. The best news? You don’t have to overhaul everything. By weaving just a few well- chosen digital habits into your routine, you can save hours of time, cut down on stress and give pupils faster, more focused feedback. Here are some of the most effective ways to make technology your ally this SATs season. Lighten the load with AI AI tools such as ChatGPT are rapidly becoming the modern teacher’s planning partner. They can generate revision resources and practice questions in seconds. The key lies in how you use them. Start with a clear prompt, for example, ‘Write 10 Year 6-level questions focusing on modal verbs, with answers and clear explanations’. You’ll instantly have a draft set of ideas that you can then ask AI to tweak, adapt and differentiate for your class. Another useful prompt is, ‘Please write me 10 questions for Year 6, like this question...’ followed by an example from a past SATs paper. This helps AI produce realistic, SATs-style questions. Rather than spending hours creating from scratch, use AI to handle the groundwork so you can focus on tailoring resources for your pupils. Embrace instant marking Marking practice papers is one of the biggest time drains in SATs preparation. Online platforms that instantly mark tests are transforming that experience for both teachers and pupils. Immediate feedback helps pupils fix errors and feel more confident. For teachers, it reveals class-wide trends and areas to revisit – all without the late-night marking sessions. As well as offering topic revision and learning videos, platforms like SATs Boot Camp do exactly this: tests are automatically marked, progress is tracked, and every topic is organised in a clear, ready-to-use sequence. It’s the digital equivalent of having an assistant working quietly in the background, freeing you from admin so you can focus on teaching. Get digitally organised Organisation isn’t about having more lists; it’s about freeing up mental space. Many teachers now use organisational tools to manage tasks in a visual format. Free tools like Trello make it easy to stay on top of everything at a glance. Its simple, card-based boards can help you plan out topics and objectives across the term, using colour-coded labels so you can see at a glance what’s been taught and what’s still ahead. Go beyond the classroom Digital homework tools and revision games help pupils consolidate learning independently without adding to your marking pile. Platforms such as DoodleLearning adapt automatically to each child’s level, keeping them challenged but not overwhelmed, and sites like Kahoot! and Wayground (formerly Quizizz) turn revision into interactive quizzes that children enjoy. The best online tools don’t just test knowledge – they teach it. With quick quizzes and short videos built in, pupils can revisit tricky topics independently while teachers gain a clearer picture of what still needs work. A calmer way forward SATs preparation will always demand focus and commitment, but it doesn’t have to demand exhaustion. With a few smart digital strategies, teachers can cut hours of admin, deliver sharper feedback and create more space for meaningful teaching moments. Work smarter, not harder, and let technology take a little of the weight this SATs season. Your pupils will benefit, and so will you. TP Tech TIPS “By weaving in just a few well-chosen digital habits, you can save hours of time” Rachael Ede is a former Year 6 teacher, and founded SATs Boot Camp to help teachers and students get ready for SATs with less stress. yearsix.co.uk Try some of these digital tools to help you prep for SATs with less stress, says Rachael Ede SA T S S P E C I A L www.teachwire.net | 49