Who takes SATS?

School attainment tests are taken at the end of each year by all pupils in state primary schools - but it's the ones at age 7 and 11 which really matter.

Key Stage One:

Six and seven year olds take SATs at the end of year two, which measure their progress in the first two formal years of schooling (excluding the Reception year).

An average child is expected to hit Level Two by the end of Year Two, but some will still be working towards that level. Some six and seven year olds may get a Level Three, which means they're ahead of expectations.

Parents will be told what level their child has reached - but the results of these tests are not published formally

Key Stage Two

The results of these tests form the basis of the primary school league tables which we hear so much about.

An average child is expected to reach Level Four by the end of his or her primary education.

By law, schools in England have to publish the percentage of pupils which do so - and these figures form the basis of the school league tables.

Again, there is a wide variation in performance between children at Key Stage Two. Some may still be on level 3; others may get to level 5 in subjects where they have a special talent.