Statutory Assessments Administration

Click on the link to download a checklist of 2025/26 deadlines

Norfolk Assessment and Data Deadlines 2025-2026 (PDF, 145 KB)

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

From the start of the academic year 2025 to 2026, schools will need to use our new assessment services via DfE Sign-in to administer the RBA.

The 2 new assessment services will be available for schools to access from Monday 2 June 2025. We will provide more information on how to access them in the 2025 RBA administration guidance.

Schools will also need a minimum of 2 devices to administer the RBA:

• one for the practitioner to administer the assessment
• a separate touch screen device for pupils to respond to some of the questions

These changes support accessibility and align with developments in classroom practice. You can find more information about the changes and important dates for the academic year in the 2025 RBA assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA).

The RBA will be used to create school-level progress measures for the primary age range which will show the progress pupils make from reception until the end of Key Stage 2. Schools will not receive a copy of their data or any comparative data. Schools will receive a short narrative about each child which is intended to support in using the assessment for planning learning. Starting points across the curriculum and in learning characteristics will need to be established in the usual way, the RBA will not replace this.

Feedback 

We are aware of technical issues with administering the RBA Assessment this year. Please complete the feedback survey to STA detailing any problems your school faced with the assessment.

Assessment at the end of Reception

From September 2021, it is mandatory to adhere to the requirements outlined in the revised EYFS Statutory Framework and EYFS Profile.

Support and Guidance

Reception baseline assessment: information for parents

Reception baseline assessment: administration guidance

Reception baseline assessment (RBA): information for the academic year 2025 to 2026

Reception baseline assessment: IT guidance

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile 

The EYFS profile is a statutory assessment of children's development at the end of the EYFS before moving into Year 1, usually the end of the academic year in which the child turns 5 (Reception year).

Each child's level of development is assessed against 17 early learning goals (ELGs) across 7 areas of learning in the EYFS statutory framework. For each ELG, teachers must assess whether a child is meeting the level of development 'expected' at the end of the EYFS, or if they are not yet reaching this level and should be assessed as 'emerging'.

The profile is intended to provide a reliable and accurate summative assessment of each child's development at the end of the EYFS, in order to support children's successful transition to Year 1.

Children are defined as having reached a Good Level of Development (GLD) at the end of the EYFS, if they have achieved the expected level for the ELGs within the prime areas of learning:

• communication and language
• personal, social and emotional development
• physical development

+ the specific areas:

• mathematics
• literacy

Teachers use their professional judgement to make their assessment of the ELGs for each child, using their knowledge and understanding of what a child knows, understands, and can do. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate with practitioners in their own school/setting, as well as those from other schools/settings, to help check and confirm the accuracy of their judgements.

Support and Guidance

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile handbook. 

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework

Early years foundation stage profile assessment support

Early Years child development training

Exemptions from the EYFS for providers and individual children

Early years foundation stage: exemplification materials

Phonics Screening Check 

The 2026 phonics screening check should be administered within the week commencing Monday 8 June 2026. 

Support and Guidance

Phonics screening check assessment and reporting arrangements

Phonics screening check: information for parents

Phonics screening check administration guidance

Preparing to administer the phonics screening check (Information and video) 

Local Authority Monitoring Visits

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to conduct monitoring visits to a minimum of 10% of LA maintained schools that are administering the check. They are also expected to monitor at least 10% of Academies that have selected them for Monitoring.

Local Authorities will carry out Pre, During and Post Monitoring visits to a sample of schools between Monday 1 June and Friday 19 June 2026.

For further information, schools should refer to the Guidance on phonics screening check monitoring visits. 

Key Stage 1 optional tests 

Standards and Testing Agency (STA) are continuing to provide guidance and support to schools wanting to use the KS1 optional tests for reading, grammar, punctuation and spelling and mathematics this academic year.

Schools wishing to administer these tests should access the KS1 Optional Test Administration Guidance.

The KS1 Teacher Assessment Frameworks are also available to schools to use gain a well-rounded assessment of attainment at the end of KS1.  The KS1 Pre-Key Stage Frameworks can be used to assess those working below the standard of the Key Stage who access a subject specific curriculum.

For those who do not access a subject specific curriculum, the Engagement Model Framework has replaced P-scales 1-4 and could be used to assess attainment.

Resources

Year 2 Optional Teacher Assessment Grids:

• Reading (Word doc, 23 KB) (Word)
• Writing (Word doc, 22 KB) (Word)
• Mathematics (Word doc, 32 KB) (Word)

Multiplication Tables Check 

The MTC is statutory for all year 4 pupils registered at state-funded maintained schools, special schools or academies, including free schools, in England.

For 2026, the Multiplication Tables Check (MTC) window for administration is Monday 1 June - Friday 12 June 2026.

Support and Guidance

Key stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)

Key Stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements (includes a section on MTC) 

MTC administration guidance 

MTC administration guidance (Video)

MTC access arrangements (Video) 

Multiplication tables check: IT guidance

Multiplication tables check: information for parents

Key Stage 2 tests and teacher assessment 

Key Stage 2 tests 

In 2026, the KS2 tests are timetabled from Monday 11 May to Thursday 14 May. 

Support and Guidance

Primary school accountability

Key stage 2 teacher assessment guidance

Key stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)

Key stage 2 tests: test administration guidance (TAG)

Key stage 2 test administration in 2026 (Video) 

KS2 Reading and mathematics Tests: Support for Year 6 Teachers (PDF, 1003 KB)

Information for parents

Key stage 2 national curriculum tests and results: information for parents

The engagement model: information for parents

Pre-key stage standards: information for parents

Before the tests 

2025 KS2 September Checking Exercise Guidance - Check Your Performance Measures Data

How To Check Your School's Data KS2 September 2025 (Video) 

How To Request A Pupil Removal Amendment KS2 (Video) 

Key stage 2: registering pupils for the tests

Key stage 2 tests: pupil registration (Video) 

Access arrangements

Key stage 2 tests: access arrangements

Key stage 2 tests: early opening (Video) 

Key stage 2 tests: compensatory marks for spelling (Video) 

Key stage 2 tests: additional time (Video) 

Key stage 2 tests: modified test administration guidance (MTAG) For pupils with hearing or visual impairments. 

Key stage 2 tests: making adaptations to modified large print test materials

Key stage 2 tests: special consideration guidance

Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable

Key stage 2 tests: timetable variation (Video) 

After the tests 

Key stage 2 tests: returning test scripts

Key stage 2: submitting teacher assessment data

Key stage 2 tests: applying for a review of pupils' test results

Teacher Assessment of Writing

The KS2 Teacher Assessment Frameworks should be used to assess the attainment of those working within the standard of Key Stage 2 in English writing. The KS2 Pre Key Stage Frameworks should be used to assess those working below the standard of Key Stage 2 in English writing. For pupils who do not access the subject specific curriculum, the Engagement Model Framework, which has replaced P-scales, must be used for assessment.

Downloadable resources

• KS2 Standardised Pupil Writing Collections
• Optional Record Sheet for end of KS2 Writing Teacher Assessment (Word doc, 26 KB) (Word)
• Year 6 scenarios to illustrate a particular weakness in writing (PDF, 219 KB) (PDF)

Teacher Assessment of Science 

Schools are required to submit teacher assessment of science at the end of Key Stage 2. The Science section of the Teacher Assessment Frameworks at the end of key stage 2 contains one standard: Working at the expected standard. Pupils who have completed the programme of study will be assessed as either 'working at the expected standard' or 'has not met the expected standard'. Schools should refer to teacher assessment guidance: KS2 science for exemplification of 'Working at the expected standard'. 

Local Authority Monitoring visits 

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to monitor the administration of KS2 national curriculum tests for 10% of their schools. Monitoring visits help ensure that schools maintain the integrity, security and confidentiality of test materials and that they administer KS2 national curriculum tests correctly and consistently. School should refer to local authority monitoring visits guidance for further information.  

Best practice for administering the Phonics Screening Check

Secure storage and materials handling 

• Always have two staff members involved when accessing and handling the assessment materials. Never leave materials unattended or in the care of one individual to avoid vulnerability. 
• Ideally store assessment materials in a non-private, secure location (locked cupboard or filing cabinet) e.g. school office preferable to headteacher's office. 
• Keys to the locked storage should be stored separately e.g. in a key box, to the staff members who will access the assessment materials, if possible. 
• On arrival, open and check the delivery of the Phonics Screening Check materials carefully and sign the Delivery note. The delivery note will be required as evidence that the consignment was checked for the purposes of a Monitoring visit.  
• Any damaged or missing materials contact immediately  the National Curriculum Assessment Helpline (0300 303 3013).  
• Maintain a written log kept on the inside/outside of the locked storage, where the assessment materials are kept. Record all entry and exit dates/times from the secure storage of materials (who accessed it, when, for what purpose, number of blank papers returned). This is good practice and useful evidence during Monitoring visits.  
• Ensure Phonics Screening Check materials are stored securely, until Friday 19th June 2026.    

Testing environment and staffing 

• Conduct the Phonics Screening Check on a 1:1 basis
• Do not prompt, support, or encourage beyond the approved wording in the administration guidance. 

Preparation and training 

• Deliver a training session for all involved staff in the Phonics Screening Check, watch the administration video. Keep a record of attendance at training and/or signatures of read Guidance. This is useful evidence during Monitoring visits.  
• Ensure all staff know what constitutes maladministration, including examples.
• When conducting any practice  checks, ideally treat them with the same procedural expectations as the live version e.g. sit pupils in the separate room. 

For links to official guidance and deadlines please refer to Deadline dates - RBA, EYFSP, PSC, MTC & KS2. 

Best practice for administering the Key Stage 2 tests

Secure storage and materials handling 

• Always have two staff members involved when accessing and handling the assessment materials. Never leave test papers unattended or in the care of one individual to avoid vulnerability. 
• Ideally store assessment materials in a non-private, secure location (locked cupboard or filing cabinet) e.g. school office preferable to headteacher's office. 
• Keys to the locked storage should be stored separately e.g. in a key box, to the staff members who will access the assessment materials, if possible. 
• On arrival, open and check the delivery of KS2 Test materials carefully and sign the Delivery note. The delivery note will be required as evidence that the consignment was checked for the purposes of a Monitoring visit.  
• Any damaged or missing materials contact immediately  the National Curriculum Assessment Helpline (0300 303 3013).  
• Maintain a written log kept on the inside/outside of the locked storage, where the assessment materials are kept. Record all entry and exit dates/times from the secure storage of materials (who accessed it, when, for what purpose, number of blank papers returned). This is good practice and useful evidence during Monitoring visits.   
• Spare Test materials should be stored securely until Friday 22nd May 2026

Distributing and collecting papers 

• Open KS2 test papers in the main central location where most pupils will sit the test and distribute from there to other staff members if they are going to other rooms with pupils. 
• Count papers before distributing and immediately on return, confirming numbers match the storage log. 
• It is best practice for two staff members, at the end of each test, to collect all completed test papers from each room where the test has taken place.
• Completing the test register and packing test papers should be completed in pairs, ideally in a secure room e.g. headteacher's office, before returning all materials to the secure storage. STA have advised that for each Test register, this may take up to one minute per pupil to complete.  

Testing environment and staffing 

• Ensure wall displays are covered before the day of the test. 
• Avoid isolating children alone in rooms with one member of staff - where possible, group children receiving support (e.g. additional time) together, as this will reduce the pressure on number of staff required. 
• If individual spaces are required, ensure rooms are not fully isolated from other parts of the school: keep doors open and position staff to reduce vulnerability. 
• Have a floating member of staff available to cover toilet breaks, emergencies or needs in separate rooms without leaving pupils unsupervised. 
• Best practice is for two staff members to be present if one child working in a separate room.
• Check clocks are visible and synchronised in all rooms being used for the tests. 
• Keep a log of any rest breaks, for pupils needing them. This helps to ensure the correct time allocation for the test is given and there is evidence in case of a maladministration investigation.  
• Best practice is to clearly label the outside of the room door with the start and end time for pupils in separate rooms or with additional time. This helps the staff members collecting test papers to not disturb the pupil until they are finished. Note: If you receive a Monitoring visit, evidence will be required to support the NCA Portal application for each pupil receiving additional time.  
• Avoid sitting pupils requiring additional time with pupils not requiring additional time.  

Preparation and training 

• Deliver a training session for all involved staff in the KS2 Tests and what can/cannot be said, you may also want to watch the administration video. Keep a record of attendance at training and/or signatures of read Guidance. This is useful evidence during Monitoring visits.   
• Ensure there are enough trained staff for the KS2 Tests to cover any absences or changes in pupil circumstances. 
• Ensure all staff know what constitutes maladministration, including examples. 
• Ensure all staff involved the KS2 Tests, understand the rules on reading questions aloud, as these differ for each paper. 
• When conducting any practice tests, ideally treat them with the same procedural expectations as the live e.g. sit pupils in the hall or separate room. 
• Ideally there should be at least one other person in school in addition to the headteacher with a NCA Portal log-in. In order to complete the test registers and any other administration on the NCA portal. 

Additional administrative top tips for KS2 tests 

• Provide on each pupil's desk, a small pupil information sheet which matches the box of details on the front cover of the KS2 Tests. Including: first name, middle name, surname, date of birth, school name, and centre number. 
• Consider encouraging governors to conduct Monitoring visits to provide confidence in the school systems and procedures during the test period.  
• Check the seating plan and room layout in advance of the day, ensuring pupils are spaced appropriately, access arrangements pupils have the right location, there are minimal distractions for all pupils, rooms being used are not secluded. 
• Ensure a test-day timetable is visible for all staff, showing when tests start and finish, which staff are allocated where and where SLT are stationed or spare invigilators if required. 
• Prepare test equipment packs (black pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers) in transparent pencil cases. 

For links to official guidance and deadlines please refer to Deadline dates - RBA, EYFSP, PSC, MTC & KS2. 

With thanks to Glenn Russell, Executive Principal at Broad Horizons Education Trust, for his support in developing this.

In Norfolk, we use a 'warehouse' model for our moderation of KS2 teacher assessment. It is so-called as meetings take place at venues around the county rather than as a school visit. Based on feedback from colleagues who took part in KS2 statutory moderation in 2025, we have booked several venues across the county to reduce travel time for teachers. Schools will be notified at the earliest opportunity permitted by the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) on Friday 15th May 2026 if they have been selected.  

The confirmed dates and venues for statutory moderation in 2026 are: 

• Tuesday 2 June - Aylsham Town Hall, Aylsham 
• Tuesday 2 June - The Ffolkes, King's Lynn 
• Wednesday 3 June - Wymondham Rugby Club, Wymondham 
• Monday 8 June - The Nest, Norwich 
• Tuesday 9 June - The Nest, Norwich 
• Wednesday 10 June - Charles Burrell Centre, Thetford 
• Monday 15 June - Great Yarmouth Racecourse, Great Yarmouth 

An online briefing will be available on Tuesday 19th May 2026 for schools who have been selected for statutory moderation. The briefing will guide schools through what happens on the day and provide an opportunity to ask questions about the process. Details of this online briefing will only be sent to schools who have been selected for statutory moderation.