As an independent school, there is no requirement to take the Key Stage 2 SATs papers. However, our Lower Shell (Year 6) children take the papers internally during June. As a school we feel that they are a useful tool for: measuring progress; formally assessing children’s attainments; comparing the school to other schools and nationally; as well as giving children experience of exam techniques.
| Working at Expected | Reading | Writing | Maths | EGPS* | Combined |
| Gad’s Hill School | 100% | 90% | 96% | 97% | 90% |
| National Average | 74% | 72% | 73% | 72% | 61% |
| Working at Greater Depth | Reading | Writing | Maths | EGPS* | Combined |
| Gad’s Hill School | 62% | 15% | 43% | 76% | 21% |
| National Average | 28% | 12% | 23% | 31% | 7% |
*English, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling 2024’s Lower Shell cohort had a total of 29 pupils.
Among other factors, our small class sizes, excellent teaching and high-quality resources enable learning to be tailored personally to the children’s needs; teachers know their classes strongly. We proudly maintain a broad curriculum, embedding maths and English throughout. This leads to rates of good progress in children’s academic learning without narrowing the curriculum or over- pressuring children.
As a through-school, it is anticipated that most children will transition from the Lower School at the end of the Lower School into Upper Shell (Year 6 to Year 7). However, of the children that do decide to explore an alternative setting for their secondary education, a good number transition to local Grammar schools. Of those who take our own internal scholarship exam, around 40% of these are successful in securing a Charles Dickens Scholarship for entry into the Upper School.
