Harton Primary School teachers' surprise gifts for Year 6 children who should have been sitting SATs this week

Teachers at a South Shields primary school have been brightening up what should have been SATs exam week for Year 6 pupils.
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Teachers at Harton Primary School have been delivering surprise gifts to children who were due to take their first SATs exams on Monday, May 11.

Staff created a rainbow out of names of every child in Year 6 and gave a copy of it to each pupil, along with a rainbow T-shirt with their year group on.

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But the package also included a touching letter and poem from head teacher Karen Ratcliffe, to cheer up the students who have worked hard over the year to prepare for their first real experience of exams.

Harton Primary School Year Six pupils (left-right) Ruby Denholm, Reece Kimber and Daniel Allen with their rainbows.Harton Primary School Year Six pupils (left-right) Ruby Denholm, Reece Kimber and Daniel Allen with their rainbows.
Harton Primary School Year Six pupils (left-right) Ruby Denholm, Reece Kimber and Daniel Allen with their rainbows.

Mrs Ratcliffe said: “The children in Year 6 have worked extremely hard to achieve excellent SATs results and many will be disappointed that the tests are not going ahead. We hope this has cheered them up and helps them remember that they have so many good qualities that SAT’s don’t measure.”

Despite being closed due to the lockdown, teachers have been working hard to support their children and families at home, as well as going into school on a rota basis to care for children of key workers and those who are vulnerable.

Year 6 class teacher, Andrew Dawson added: “It was lovely to see the children’s faces when they opened their presents. We know how hard our children have been working at home so we were happy to do something nice for them.”

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Children were given a copy of a rainbow incorporating the names of each pupil.Children were given a copy of a rainbow incorporating the names of each pupil.
Children were given a copy of a rainbow incorporating the names of each pupil.

Read Mrs Ratcliffe’s poem in full here:

SATs don’t measure sport,

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SATs don’t measure art,SATs don’t measure music,Or the kindness in your heart.

SATs don’t see your beauty,

SATs don’t know your worth,

SATs don’t see the reasons,

You were put on this earth.

SATs don’t see your magic,

How you make others smile,

SATs don’t know how quickly,

You can run the Daily Mile.

SATs don’t hear your laughter,

Or see you’ve come this far,

SATs are just a tiny glimpse,

Of who you really are.

So even though you’re home this year,

Not able to do your test,

Remember SATs aren’t who you are,

Remember YOU’RE THE BEST!

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