EAL and SATs

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Ann Kershaw2

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Feb 10, 2026, 10:06:00 AM (10 days ago) Feb 10
to 'hamishc...@mac.com' via EAL-Bilingual
Good Afternoon

Does anyone know if it is possible for a Year 6 student to sit with an i-Pad during the Maths SATs paper and independently translate the questions from English to L1 for access, or is it still a requirement to have a 'human' in school to interpret, or to translate questions in advance?
The school's normal practice in the build-up has been to use the i-pad.



Best wishes,
Annie

Annie Kershaw

 

Achievement and Equality Consultant

Empowering schools to provide an effective education for all learners

Education Improvement Service| Education Quality, Provision and Effectiveness| Education Learning and Inclusion Children and Families| Nottinghamshire County Council County Hall| Loughborough Road| Nottingham| NG2 7QP

 

 


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Rehana Ahmed

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Feb 10, 2026, 10:29:29 AM (10 days ago) Feb 10
to Ann Kershaw2, 'hamishc...@mac.com' via EAL-Bilingual

Dear Annie,

For KS2 SATs, access arrangements for pupils with EAL are quite specific. Pupils may use a bilingual dictionary or electronic translator only if it has no internet access, does not give definitions or explanations, and is used purely for word-for-word translation. It must also reflect the pupil’s normal way of working in school.

However, devices such as iPads present difficulties in test conditions unless they are strictly controlled and meet the above requirements, as access to stored information, apps, or connectivity would not be permitted. In many cases, schools instead arrange for approved translations in advance or use a human translator, depending on the guidance and the pupil’s needs.

The key point is that any arrangement must comply with the current KS2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements (ARA) guidance and should be agreed in advance as part of the school’s usual practice and access arrangements planning.

I would recommend checking the latest ARA document or contacting the STA helpline for confirmation specific to this situation before the test window.

Best wishes,
Rehana Ahmed

Rehana Ahmed
Managing Director HLS Ltd
Mob: 07891618408

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Jane Scott

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Feb 10, 2026, 10:48:35 AM (10 days ago) Feb 10
to Rehana Ahmed, Ann Kershaw2, 'hamishc...@mac.com' via EAL-Bilingual
Regarding the dictionaries - In my previous school, we also followed these strict guidelines and introduced word-to-word dictionaries from the start of Year 5 to enable the children to get used to using them. We found the children had to be quite familiar with using them before exams or they had the potential to be a hindrance rather than a help.
Additionally, we had a set used in the classes, but new copies were kept for exams in case students had written anything in them throughout the year.



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