Assessment updates for 2025 to 2026
Outline of updates on Primary Statutory Assessment 2025 to 2026.
Contacts
- Helen Masefield – Strategic Lead
- KS2 Moderation Manager: Julia Etheridge
For queries regarding end key stage assessments, please contact:
Coventry: Keystageassessment@coventry.gov.uk
National Curriculum Assessments helpline
0300 303 3013 or e-mail assessments@education.gov.uk
Publications
- Key Stage 2 assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)
- Key stage 2 access arrangements
- Key Stage 2 teacher assessment guidance
- Key Stage 2 varying the timetable
Recently published
- Special consideration guidance
- Phonics check administration guidance
- Key Stage 2 teacher assessment guidance
- KS2 Registering pupils for the test
- KS2 test administration guidance: (TAG)
- KS2 varying the test timetable
- KS2 test administration guidance: (MTAG)
- Multiplication tables check
- Key stage 2: returning test scripts
- Key stage 2 tests: local authority monitoring visits
- Phonics screening check: local authority monitoring visits
- Primary assessments: investigating maladministration allegations
The engagement model
The engagement model replaces P scales 1 to 4 and is a new assessment tool for pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum and not engaged in subject-specific study. It should be used to assess pupils’ learning regularly throughout the year.
Schools must report to STA which pupils have been assessed using the engagement model.
Read more information about the engagement model.
Assessment termly updates 2025 to 2026
Assessment Updates Autumn 2025
National Curriculum Assessments Portal (previously PAG)
The National Curriculum Assessments Portal is a secure website that supports primary schools, LAs and MATs with the administration of key stage 1 (KS1) and key stage 2 (KS2) national curriculum assessments.
Schools can:
- place test orders
- submit holiday dates to help inform the delivery of test materials
- download phonics screening check and KS1 test materials
- register pupils for KS2 tests
- apply for KS2 access arrangements
- submit the headteacher’s declaration forms
- view the teacher assessment (TA) standardisation exercise and training materials
- submit KS2 TA data
- view the KS2 results and marked test script
- download KS1 and KS2 standardisation materials to support moderation and training
| Code | Explanation |
|---|---|
| GDS | Working at greater depth |
| EXS | Working at expected standard |
| WTS | Working towards standard |
| HNM | Has not met the expected standard |
| EM | Working below the level of the national curriculum and not yet engaged in subject specific study |
| A | Absent for long periods, recently arrived, or not enough information to provide a TA judgement |
| L | Pupil has left school |
| F | Pupil will reach the end of the programme of study and complete the key stage in a future year |
| P | Pupil completed the key stage in a previous year and a TA judgement has already been submitted. |
| Code | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PK6 | Pre key stage standard 6 |
| PK5 | Pre key stage standard 5 |
| PK4 | Pre key stage standard 4 |
| PK3 | Pre key stage standard 3 |
| PK2 | Pre key stage standard 2 |
| PK1 | Pre key stage standard 1 |