What Now? Life After SATs

The pencils are down. The papers are packed away. SATs are over. So, what now?
For Year 6 teachers, this post-SATs season is a rare and precious window. It’s not an ending, but a golden opportunity: a time to celebrate how far your pupils have come, prepare them for the journey ahead, and reflect on your own practice as a teacher. It’s also a space to breathe, recalibrate, and rediscover the parts of the curriculum, and the classroom, that make this job so rich and rewarding.

Although there are still other deadlines like timetable variations, special considerations, report writing, moderation, this blog isn’t intended to go in-depth in these areas – it’s to remind us all to stop, reflect and pace yourselves accordingly.

For specific advice and support on any of the above, feel free to get in contact with me.

See my Year 6 Blog for a starting point anyone knew or wanting a refresh

1. Celebrate, Embrace and Reflect

Before anything else, pause and celebrate. Your class has come through a high-pressure, high-stakes period, and they’ve done so with courage. Whether your pupils flew through the papers or found parts of them tough, each one deserves recognition for showing up, trying hard, and pushing themselves. That effort matters more than any scaled score.
Bring the joy and meaning back into your classroom through small, thoughtful celebrations. These create core memories and affirm every child’s sense of self-worth.

Ideas to try:

• Create personalised certificates like “Most Inquisitive Mind,” “Kindest Friend,” or “Quiet Strength.”
• Build a Wall of Greatness, where each child writes something they’re proud of and a compliment for a classmate.
• Let children write letters to their future Year 7 selves, including advice, dreams, and affirmations.
• Host a “Proud Moments” circle time where everyone shares one challenge they overcame this year.
• “The thanks I Owe” – get children to think of someone or something that has really helped them.

2. Writing Moderation: Finishing Strong

As SATs wrap up, writing moderation moves into focus. While it can feel administrative (and I know that as being on both sides of the table as LA moderator for a number of years as well as helping write the commentaries that go for new exemplifications each year, VS my career as Y6 teacher to Headteacher), this can still be a brilliant opportunity to champion the power of writing and celebrate your young authors.

Make the process more engaging, supportive, and edit-focused. The goal isn’t just evidence collection – it’s to help children see themselves as real writers.

Ideas to support moderation and engagement:

• Review your collection of work against the TAF – what statement is missing or needs more; is this achieved through editing and needs a new writing opportunity?
• Turn your classroom into a “Writer’s review” with a significant focus on editing and redrafting current pieces.
• Create Author’s Afternoons, where children read their polished pieces aloud to other classes or parents, and welcome feedback.
• Host writing conferences in groups and 1:1 with you and others.

3. Keep It Broad – But Think Beyond the Curriculum

With SATs done, you can fully re-embrace the wider curriculum – those enriching, cross-curricular experiences that often get squeezed out. But it’s also the perfect time to think beyond the subjects and towards real-life readiness.

Secondary transition can feel daunting, so build in practical, social, and emotional preparation. These experiences give pupils confidence and reduce anxiety before the big leap.

Ideas for transition readiness:

• Teach how to use a planner or organiser by simulating a secondary timetable.
• Run tie-tying relays: fun, competitive, and genuinely helpful.
• Invite ex-pupils in to speak about life at secondary and answer questions.
• Explore secondary roles (like form tutors, pastoral leads) and role-play asking for help or joining clubs.

PSHE activities to build self-awareness and resilience:

• “What I’m Proud Of”
• “How I Handle Worry”
• “What I Want My Friends to Know About Me”
• Use mask-making or silhouette art to show emotions – how we appear on the outside vs how we feel inside.
• Hold circle times on confidence, friendships, and change.
• These sessions empower your pupils to walk into Year 7 with life skills, emotional strength, and a strong sense of self.

4. Learn from Year 6, Plan for Year 5

Every Year 6 cohort teaches us something new – about pacing, pedagogy, or pastoral care. The final term is full of “If only I’d started that sooner…” realisations. Capture them now while they’re fresh and feed them into your Year 5 plans.

This is how we refine our craft, not just through outcomes, but through insight.

Reflect and act:

• Employ your best approach to behaviour and routines for a crucial effective start.
• If you wished you knew more about individuals, then work with Y5 teachers and parents now.
• If you discovered a great group editing strategy, build it into the Year 5 writing cycle earlier in the year.
• If pupils gained independence late, introduce class jobs or planners earlier in the timetable.
• If weekly wellbeing check-ins helped settle your class, implement them in September for Year 5s.
• If scaffolded maths journals boosted confidence, start those in the autumn term.
• Create a simple “What I’ve Learnt from Year 6” document to share with colleagues or future you.
• These aren’t just tweaks—they’re investments in stronger starts and smoother learning journeys.

5. Think September—Now

While it’s tempting to slow down completely, the post-SATs calm is actually a fantastic time to plan for September. Think of it as a gift to your future self – the one who deserves a stress-free summer.

Reflect on your own September start this year. What felt smooth? What needed more structure or clarity? Use this breathing space to prepare practical elements and make your next transition even better.

Small actions now for a better September:

• Sketch a new classroom layout that supports independence and calm.
• Tweak or rewrite your welcome letter, “About Me” slides, or class handbook.
• Draft first-week plans with a balance of routines, relationship-building, and engaging learning.
• Plan or prep your first display/ working wall – maybe one that celebrates identity or introduces key values.
• SEND strategies and scaffolds have ready-made and available for those lessons you know most likely need them.
• Start a September folder with resource lists, lesson ideas, and first-week activities.
• Even 30–60 minutes a week now can save you from a panicked August rush – and give your pupils a smoother, more confident start.

Protecting Your Wellbeing: Breathe, Recharge, and Rebalance

The post-SATs period isn’t just about the children – it’s about you too. After a term that’s emotionally charged and full of pressure, it’s essential to give yourself space to recover. You’ve led with energy, empathy, and determination; now you need time to breathe and recharge.

Take a moment to step back, breathe deeply, and protect your energy. Your wellbeing matters—not just for your sake, but because a calm, grounded teacher helps children feel safe and valued too.

Once you’ve given yourself time to recover, invest your energy wisely:

• Block out time to complete reports in a focused, realistic way.
• Schedule space to attend and enjoy end-of-year events without burnout.
• Set time aside to connect with parents, reflect on shared journeys, and celebrate successes.
• Prepare your transition work and September plans so that when summer truly arrives, you can relax knowing the groundwork is already done.
• Protect your peace now, so you can truly unwind, reset, and return in the autumn with clarity and purpose.

Final Thoughts

So, what now?

Now is the time to:

• Celebrate how far your class has come.
• Prepare them not just for tests, but for life.
• Reflect on your own teaching and your growth this year.
• Refine your plans for the learners still to come.
• And most of all – enjoy this precious chapter with your Year 6 pupils.

This isn’t the end of the journey – it’s the scenic stretch after the climb. You’ve made it through the hard part. Now it’s time to look around, appreciate the view, and help your pupils map out their next adventure.

You’ve earned it. They’ve earned it. And your summer-self will thank you.