Here at BBC Children’s and Education, we want to help teachers to support their Year 6 children as they work towards SATs.
We read research and reports to ensure we create content that is as useful as possible.
We regularly speak to teachers too who ask for content to help with the SATs topics that children find more challenging.
Here’s a run-down of five areas where we have resources that you might find useful.
Problem 1: Fractions
Fractions are often favoured questions from the test writers. However, many children struggle to understand fractions, especially with the different types of fractions and working with them within problems.
Solution: KS2 Fractions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhdwxnb
This BBC Bitesize resource features lots of ways to work with fractions and is ideal to work through in class. There are more than 20 resources covering everything from subtracting mixed numbers to comparing fractions to fractions greater than one.
Includes: maths videos, activities and quizzes to both teach and consolidate fractions knowledge
Problem 2: Mathematical Reasoning
Maths reasoning papers can really tax students. In previous years, concerns have been raised about their difficulty. In particular, written long-form problems with multiple steps can take pupils a long time to work through. This means they struggle to finish the rest of the paper.
Solution: KS2 Maths: Using addition and subtraction in multi-step problems https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zs8gvwx
This BBC Teach five minute animated video about using addition and subtraction in multi-step problems can be used to work through with the whole class. The video can be paused to allow time for the class to think about how to solve the problems. The additional teacher notes also provide suggestions for questions to ask children.
Includes: Lots of multi-step maths problems to work through with engaging, animated characters.
Problem 3: Arithmetic paper
The arithmetic paper is quite short but packs in a lot. It means pupils need a really strong base of known number facts – times tables for example – and also good efficient written methods for the long multiplication and long division questions. Children can often struggle with finishing in the time given, so they need to be well practiced.
The solution: Guardians: Defenders of Mathematica
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zd2f7nb/articles/zn2y7nb
Choose your character and play this interactive maths game which covers a wide range of arithmetic skills from across Key Stage 2 – just like the SATs paper will! Great for children to play for independent study in school or at home.
Includes: A timer feature for certain levels to increase difficulty.
Problem 3: Reading comprehension – inference
In the past few years, teachers have regularly highlighted the difficulty of reading comprehensions. Many children struggle with the inference questions more than the straightforward retrieval questions.
The solution: What is inference?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zs44jxs/articles/zqmyw6f
This Bitesize resource delves into inference with a number of activities which are ideal for use in class or for homework.
Includes: A short video about inference, multiple follow-on activities and an interactive quiz.
Problem 4: Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
Teachers know how important it is to teach Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SpaG) ready for SATs. But with so many different elements to cover, it can start to feel very repetitive. There is always a need for new ways to cover the same content again and again.
The solution: Crystal Explorers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbm8scw
This game is engaging and fun which means children are happy to play in class – and at home. Covering all aspects of SPaG, there are engaging challenges for all children.
Includes: A new challenge mode allowing children to test their knowledge.
As well as these specific suggestions there are lots of interactive resources available for use in school, or at home, to support revision towards all SATs papers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrybvk7#zs82p9q
Supporting wellbeing
Finally, we know that the wellbeing of children is always a concern for teachers, and even more so with the pressure of SATs. Our BBC Moodboosters resources use movement to help children to manage their feelings, learning emotional and social skills. Devised around four themes – connect, boost, imagine and recharge – the resources use physical movement to help give a sense of wellbeing.
We have a special Moodboosters Live Lesson produced in partnership with Children in Need on Friday 9 May 2025 at 11am, which will include activities your whole class can join in together, such as writing down worries, gentle breathing exercises and movements to follow along with Pudsey.
Article by Alex Harris – Executive producer of BBC Teach
