Whatever you think about Sats week, it’s finally here. You made it this far, the hard work is done. This article is about making the next week run smoothly and giving your children every chance to succeed.  

I think a useful extended sporting analogy is what we need, We should approach SATs as if it were the “big match”. 

For me, it’s all about channelling the football management greats of the past, but it is equally applicable to any sport. 

Let’s start with facing facts: you shouldn’t have any training sessions planned for next week. We’re way past that: the children, by this point, either have it in their noggins or they don’t. It’s now all about the matchday. You’ve got a good squad on paper, but the question is: how are you going to get them to produce the goods on the pitch? 

As British Cycling have shown, it is all about managing the marginal gains. And here’s how you do just that in Sats week. 

1.  Make sure your kit man/woman is on the job.
   Have everything you need ready; tables set out, equipment ready, cut out the faffing about. Your stars need the right tools to do the job as best they can. 
    
2. The pre-match meal should be carefully planned

    

   
   We’re not talking isotonic drinks and protein shakes, but making sure your players are fuelled and in tip-top condition for the game is vital. We provide a proper breakfast during Sats week - in East Whitby that means bacon butties (or a veggie equivalent for me).
3. Man management is essential

    

   
   Make the players feel special. This week is about the children and getting it right for them. Let them know they are the important ones.
    
4.  Remove distractions
   Like a rugby coach imposing a curfew to deter late-night shenanigans, make sure distractions are kept to a minimum for your players. Adjust all potential distractions - such as playtimes and PE lessons - until after the completion of the tests. And we don’t need any flares on the pitch: if needs be, make areas of the school no-go zones for other pupils to keep those highly-trained superstars focused on the game.
    
5. Cut out the schoolboy errors
   Keep the pre-match talk brief and to the point. Don’t bamboozle your players with new tactics and formations. Stick to the game plan and prioritise things that make a difference. At the end of the day, it’s about reading the question carefully.
   
   Use your methods, interact with the paper, remind them to write the answers in the right places - no point doing all that brilliant working out in maths if they don’t then pop it in the back of the net.
    
6.  Keep an eye on the clock.

    

   
   Be clear how much time they have used and have left. Your stars need the reminder.  
    
7.  Don’t waste time with the post-match post-mortem.
   There will be time enough for that later: you need them focused for the next match in the tournament.
    
8. Beware premature celebrations.

    

   
   Make sure you keep playing to the final whistle. I’ve seen children get to that final match and then get a bit demob happy and not do themselves justice. 

Simon Smith is headteacher at East Whitby Academy. He tweets @smithsmm