KS2 Tests & Phonics Screening Check Administration Guidance

Video

This Department for Education Key stage 2 test administration video provides an overview of how to prepare for key stage 2 test week in 2026. Included within the video are:

• Changes for this year
• Test timetables
• Access arrangements
• Timetable variations
• Test administration
• Online attendance registers
• Headteachers' declaration form
• Returning test scripts

Guidance 

The following guidance outlines best practices and procedural expectations for the secure and effective administration of KS2 Tests and the Phonics Screening Check.

Secure storage and paper handling 

• On arrival, open and check the delivery of KS2 Test materials carefully and sign the delivery note. This is evidence that the consignment was checked for the purposes of a monitoring visit.  
• Check for damaged or missing materials immediately and contact the national curriculum assessment helpline (0300 303 3013) the same day. 
• Maintain a paper log kept on the outside of the locked storage (cupboard or filing cabinet), where the assessment materials are kept. Record all entry/exit times from the secure storage (who accessed it, when, for what purpose, number of blank papers returned). This is useful evidence during monitoring visits. 
• 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 e.g. school office preferable to headteacher's office. Keys to the locked storage should be stored separately, to the staff members who will access the assessment materials, if possible. Spare papers 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 to the 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. 
• At the end of each test, the best practice is for two staff members, to collect all completed test papers from each room at the end of the test time. 
• When bagging and packing test papers, do so in pairs, ideally in a secure room e.g. headteacher's office, before returning all materials to the secure storage. 

Testing environment and staffing 

• Ensure wall displays are covered before the day of the test. 
• Avoid isolating children alone in rooms - 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 for one child working separately. 
• 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.  
• Clearly label the outside of the room doors with the start and end time for pupils 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 application for each pupil receiving additional time.  
• Avoid sitting pupils requiring additional time with pupils not requiring additional time.  

Phonics Screening Check specifics 

• On arrival, open and check the delivery of Phonics Screening Check materials carefully and sign the Delivery note. This is evidence that the consignment was checked for the purposes of a monitoring visit.  
• Conduct the Phonics Screening Check on a 1:1 basis 
• Complete the log for each check. 
• Do not prompt, support, or encourage beyond the approved wording in the administration guidance. 
• Ensure Phonics Screening Check materials are stored securely when not being used until Friday 19th June 2026.   

Preparation and training 

• Deliver a training session for all involved staff, covering the KS2 Tests and what can/cannot be said, you may also want to watch the administration video. Keep a record of attendance/CPD. 
• 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 KS2 Test invigilators understand the rules on reading questions aloud, as these differ for each paper. 
• Deliver a training session for all involved staff in the Phonics Screening Check, watch the administration video. Keep a record of attendance/CPD. 
• When conducting any practice tests or checks, ideally treat them with the same procedural expectations as the live e.g. sit pupils in the hall or separate room. 
• From 2026, there will be no paper registers - registration will be through the NCA Portal. There should be at least one other person in school in addition to the headteacher with a NCA Portal log-in for this purpose. STA have instructed that each register may take up to one minute per pupil to complete.  

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 for deadline dates please refer to Deadline dates - RBA, EYFSP, PSC, MTC & KS2 - Norfolk Schools and Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council. 

With thanks to Glenn Russell, Executive Principal at Broad Horizons Education Trust, for his support in creating this guidance document (PDF, 134 KB).