The last-minute countdown to Sats is finally upon us and that means that it’s time to start chanting “don’t panic” over and over to yourself as a mantra. To reduce the inevitable stress and make sure I don’t forget anything I make myself a checklist that looks a lot like this: 

1. Read the ARA

Now, let’s be honest: when I talk about curling up with a good book, the Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA) tome isn’t exactly what comes to mind, but it is required reading for anyone organising and involved with Sats. The key stage two one this year is 58 pages long so I recommended reading it in sections to make it more digestible.

2. Be clear about who is going to be where on each day - both children and adults

You might think about creating a timetable to show which children and adults are going to be in each room. This is particularly relevant if you have some children who are entitled to additional time or a reader, for example, and it might make more sense to have them in different rooms.

3. Count your pencils! And your rulers, mirrors and protractors for that matter...

Essentially, make sure you have enough of the equipment children need access to - this mainly applies to the maths reasoning papers - and a few spares besides.

4. Check your school’s DfE number

Find it because you need to know it so all the children can write it on the front of their test papers.

5. Brief the adults who are going to be helping to administer tests

Make sure they are clear about what assistance they can give and what they can’t.

6. Talking of adults - make sure you have enough

And leave at least one ‘floating’, if you can, for any unforeseen circumstances, such as a child becoming ill during the test (it can happen).

7. Put the dates in your diary

I know, I know, but sometimes it’s the most simple stuff we overlook! Make sure you know what test has to be administered on what day - heads up, the usual order has been switched this year and the EGPS is going first, whereas in the past it’s always been reading.

8. Prepare for the unexpected

Mostly, it all goes without a fuss but now and again something happens like a child turning up on the Monday of Sats week with a broken arm, now needing a scribe. You need to be ready to take a breath and sort out what needs sorting.

Claire Lotriet is an assistant headteacher at Henwick Primary School in London. She is a Tes leadership columnist and tweets @OhLottie