2026/27 primary assessment dates
See future primary assessment dates on GOV.UK.
Reception baseline assessment
Schools must complete the reception baseline assessment for each child in the first six weeks after they enter reception.
Phonics screening check
the phonics screening check week starts Monday 14 June 2027
Key stage 2
- The key stage 2 tests are timetabled from Monday 10 May – Thursday 13 May 2027
- Multiplication tables check – schools must administer the multiplication tables check within the 2-week period from Monday 7 June 2027
Primary and secondary school accountability approach
- Primary school accountability – technical guidance on primary school accountability, school-level progress measures and similar schools.
- Secondary accountability measures .
The guidance links below should direct you to the most recent version of the documentation and these will be updated throughout the year by the DfE for the current academic year.
Reception baseline assessment (RBA)
The RBA became statutory in schools in September 2021.
The following is available:
- Reception baseline assessment framework
- Reception baseline assessment : assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)
- Reception baseline assessment: information for parents
Early years foundation stage profile (EYFSP)
- Early years foundation stage profile handbook – this handbook supports EYFS practitioners in making accurate judgements about each child’s attainment
- Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage – the standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5.
- Implementing the early years foundation stage reforms – videos for practitioners assessing children’s development at the end of the early years foundation stage (EYFS).
- Early years foundation stage: exemplification materials – to support teachers in making (EYFSP) judgements.
- EYFS learning and development requirements: exemptions for providers – What early years providers and independent schools must do to be exempt from some aspects of the early years foundation stage (EYFS).
- National curriculum assessments: early years foundation stage – guidance about the EYFS profile and reporting requirements for under 5s for use by schools, nurseries, childminders, and local authorities.
- Exemptions from the EYFS and the use of the A code in the Early Years Profile
Phonics screening check
Details on the phonics screening check can be found in the Assessment and reporting arrangements (phonics screening check).
The key stage 1 phonics screening check administration guidance.
Key Stage 1 (Optional testing and teacher assessments)
The DfE have released some guidance for any schools who wish to continue elements of the end of KS1 assessments.
- KS1 non-statutory teacher assessment guidance
- 2024 optional key stage 1 tests guidance
- Optional key stage 1 tests: access arrangements
- National curriculum assessments: optional key stage 1 tests
Multiplication tables check
The multiplication tables check (MTC) is statutory for primary schools in the 2021/22 academic year.
- key stage 2: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) – further information on the MTC is included.
- Multiplication tables check assessment framework – assessment framework for the year 4 multiplication table.
- Multiplication tables check: information for parents – information for parents about the multiplication tables check, taking place in June.
- Multiplication tables check: IT guidance – this guidance is designed to help IT support staff who manage a school’s ICT network prepare for check administration.
- Multiplication tables check administration guidance – check administration guidance for the multiplication tables check.
Key stage 2
- Assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) KS2 – statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the national curriculum at key stage 2 (KS2)
- Key Stage 2 teacher assessment guidance
- Key stage 2 tests: access arrangements – guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in 2024 key stage 2 national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs).
- Key stage 2 tests: varying the test timetable – information about how headteachers, or someone with delegated authority, can reschedule the key stage 2 tests.
- Key stage 2: guide to registering pupils for the tests – information for primary schools on how to submit details of pupils who are eligible for key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs) in 2025
- Teacher assessment frameworks at the end of key stage 2
- Pre-key stage 2 standards
- The engagement model – the engagement model is statutory for use from 2021/22 academic year. Schools can no longer assess pupils against P scales 1 to 4
- The engagement model: information for parents – this leaflet contains information for parents about the engagement model teacher assessment tool
- Key stage 1 and 2 national curriculum tests: information for parents – this guidance is scheduled to be updated in April 2022 for the 2021/22 academic year
- Key stage 2 tests: test administration guidance – guidance for headteachers, teachers and teaching assistants about administering the 2025 key stage 2 national curriculum tests
- Key stage 2 tests: returning test scripts – guidance for completing attendance registers and returning key stage 2 (KS2) test scripts for marking
- Key stage 2 tests: modified test administration guidance – guidance for administering the 2025 key stage 2 national curriculum tests to pupils with hearing or visual impairments
- Key stage 2 tests: special consideration guidance
- Key stage 2 submitting teacher assessment data guidance from DfE
- Notes for readers in the English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests – how to read out particular types of questions in the 2023 key stage 1 and key stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling tests
- Key Stage 2: how to access results and test scripts
- KS2 September Checking Exercise
KS2 moderation
External moderation is statutory. It gives confidence that schools’ teacher assessment judgements for KS2 are accurate and consistent with national standards, as specified in the TA frameworks and the exemplification material.
Academies and free schools must choose which LA is responsible for external moderation and monitoring. Academies will need to have an agreement in place with the local authority of their choice. Our offer will be finalised and sent to schools during the autumn term. We will be sending this to admin email addresses but if you would like to ensure you receive this please get in touch so we can add your email address to our list: schooldataassessment@devon.gov.uk