Assessment Data Submissions

Deadline: Friday 19 June 2026
 

Step 1 - Check you are working with the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) assessments (and not the age-related year/ termly assessments).

Your MIS provider may have more than one data entry sheet for each Key Stage. You need to select the one that allows you to enter assessment judgements in. There are a total of 17 early learning goals. The valid assessment judgements are: '1' ('emerging') and '2' ('expected'), or if you have been granted an exemption the 'A' code as per the guidance Exemptions from the EYFSP for providers and individual children 

Step 2 - Check you have selected the correct pupils.

The correct pupils for this data return are children in Reception who are progressing on to Year 1. If children are repeating Reception (not progressing next academic year) then they should not be included.

Step 3 - Check all relevant pupils are included.

Please check the guidance in the Early years foundation stage profile handbook under Children transferring schools, to ensure the relevant pupils are included.

Step 4(a) - Enter assessment scores into the data entry sheet on your MIS.

Regularly save your work so that you don't lose any data. In some MIS if you click on "Calculate" the MIS will perform checks to ensure all values are entered correctly.
 

Step 4(b) - If a result cannot be entered into the MIS.

Your MIS may not let you enter certain values. If this happens, go back to the teacher and check that valid values are being used. In some MIS you can right click the mark sheet and it will show you the valid values for that subject.
 

Step 5 - Check for blanks.

Make sure that all pupils have judgements for all 17 Early Learning Goals. You should not have missing codes.
 

Step 6 - Check you have the correct file to download in your Management Information System (MIS).

Your MIS may have a tool designed for Assessments data returns. Visit our MIS Guidance webpage to find links to guidance from different MIS providers

Step 7 - Check the contents of the MIS data sheet.

Sometimes pupils are missed off at this stage. Take a moment to double check all relevant pupils have been included in the data sheet (see Step 3 for which pupils to include). As per Department for Education guidance, all the following fields need to be included:

• your local authority number
• for local authority maintained schools, academies and nursery schools, the 4-digit establishment number
• for PVI settings, the 6-digit early years unique reference number starting with a 5, 6 or 7 as used in the 2025 early years census return
• the academic year, for example, 2024 to 2025
• the child's surname
• the child's forename
• the child's sex
• the child's date of birth
• the unique pupil number - this is a 13 character identifier
• the child's home postcode
   

Step 8 - It is recommended that the Headteacher checks the data sheet at this point.

This is to spot mistakes before the data is uploaded to Perspective.
 

Step 9 - Export the data sheet as a CTF/XML from your MIS.
 

Step 10 - Upload the file to the Local Authority (LA) using 'File Request' on Perspective.

Check your emails for the 'File Request' email titled 'EYFSP 2026 Data Collection' and follow the instructions. This will have been sent to the Headteacher or Lead/EYFSP Perspective user at the school. Visit our webpage on using Perspective for further information.

Deadline to upload: 19 June 2026
 

Step 11 - Check the file has been accepted in 'File Request'.

If the file has been uploaded file Request will show a message 'successfully uploaded', this only means it has been correctly sent to the Local Authority

Step 12 - What happens next.

1. The Local Authority will receive the file(s) and will import it into their data systems.
2. Wait 2 working days and then log back in to Perspective to check it has been 'Accepted'. If there is any fault with the file, your school you will receive a Rejection and an explanation as to the issue/error.
3. You will need to correct the issue/error(s) and submit a new file.  If submitting a new file always include all the pupils, not just the pupil(s) who had any error.
4. If you need to make any amendments to your submitted data file, please email the Data Team ([email protected]), as you will be unable to upload a new file through File Request.
5. Schools that successfully submit their data file by 5pm on Friday 19 June will receive a Summary Report in Perspective on Tuesday 23 June. This Summary report enables you to check that your data is correct. It is imperative that this data is checked as there is no other opportunity to correct data and this will published in the IDSR and DfE tables in the Autumn term. 
6. If there are any errors in the Summary Report, please contact the Data Team ([email protected]) as soon as possible. You will not be able to resubmit through File Request after the original file has been 'Accepted'. Contact the Data Team to resubmit.

What to do if you have any problems

• Contact your MIS provider
• For all queries please contact the Data Team via [email protected] or call Simon Porritt 01603 222837 & Alex Webb 01603 365823
• Visit Norfolk County Council's Assessment Data Collection webpage
• Visit the Standards and Test Association's website