A SCHOOL in Worcester has revealed how it calmed worried students as parents across the UK claim children were in tears at difficult SATS papers.

Year six pupils at St George's CE Primary School, in St George's Lane North, were one cohort of thousands of children sitting the exams last week.

Nationally, hundreds of parents and teachers have complained about the "difficulty" of Wednesday’s Year 6 reading exam for 10 to 11-year-olds.

READ MORE: 'Uproar' and 'dismay' after children home plans revealed in Worcestershire village

Teachers at the Worcester school agreed with the overall feeling adding that the paper was "very challenging".

The headteacher at St George's CE Primary School also said the Maths papers had very complex questions. 

Headteacher Louise Norris said: "The reading comprehension paper was very challenging and this has been recognised nationally.

"We have also felt that the maths papers have had some very complex questions as part of the reasoning questions.

READ MORE: Car's engine sets on fire along countryside lane

"However, as experienced professionals, we are used to supporting children through these tests."

Throughout the week, the school revealed it tried to maintain a calm atmosphere and not to pass on any stress to the children and families.

Mrs Norris added: "On the whole, our children responded positively.

"We have been very clear with them the whole way through that they should try to remain as calm as possible and just do their best.

"We always try to maintain a calm atmosphere at this time and don’t believe in passing on the stress to our children and their families.

"In this instance, the key thing to remember is that if everyone found the paper tricky then everyone is in the same position which will be reflected in the threshold pass mark when grades are awarded."

What are SATs?

SATs, or Standard Assessment Tests, are used to measure children’s English and maths skills in Year 2 and Year 6, and consist of six 45-minute papers.

The Department for Education (DfE) website says SATs are meant to “measure school performance and to make sure individual pupils have the support that they need as they move into secondary school”.