Assessment, Moderation, Monitoring and Data Collection

Primary assessments

What we do

The work of the team is focused on supporting schools to make accurate judgements at the end of Key Stages. This includes ensuring statutory assessment arrangements are met and Headteachers and Governors have the support and guidance necessary to meet these requirements.

For 2025 to 2026 training and briefings will be charged on a pay as you go basis which will be £100 per person for in-person courses and £85 for online. Please note that a £50 non-attendance charge will apply, unless we are notified prior to the event.

• Future dates
• Statutory Guidance Materials
• National Curriculum Assessments
• Statutory KS2 Moderation Guidance 2024-2025
• KS1 and KS2 Network moderation handbook

Our services to you

As part of our statutory duties the following services are provided free of charge to all Coventry LA-maintained schools.
Academies and free schools receive their funding direct and therefore will be charged for these services.

Phonics screening check

• Include all schools in a formal LA Phonics screening monitoring visit within a set cycle
• Provide telephone/email support and guidance on the phonic screening statutory arrangements within KS1
• Carry out quality assurance checks on the Phonic data returns from schools to verify that data is accurate prior to DfE submission

Key Stage 1

The reception baseline assessment (RBA) replaces the end of KS1 assessments as the baseline for cohort level primary progress measures. The first cohort with a statutory RBA reaches the end of key stage 2 (KS2) in 2028. 

The phonics screening check is still statutory. While there is no legal duty on local authorities to moderate KS1 teacher assessment, they are still required to monitor the phonics screening check. 

Non-Statutory 

End of key stage 1 (KS1) assessments are no longer statutory from the academic year 2023/ 2024 onwards.

STA will however continue to develop and supply materials for optional end of KS1 tests. These will include optional tests of English reading, English grammar, punctuation and spelling and mathematics. They will also continue to make the end of KS1 teacher assessment frameworks available for optional use.

The aim of the optional assessments is to give schools access to test papers to assist the measurement of pupil achievement and to help identify where pupils need additional support as they transition into key stage 2. The tests can also be used to inform teacher assessment judgements, using the optional teacher assessment frameworks.

The Government encourages schools to administer the optional tests and teacher assessments, but there is no requirement to use these or report results to parents or local authorities, and they will not be used for school accountability purposes.

Maintained schools and academies do not need to place a test order for standard versions of the optional KS1 tests. They will automatically receive paper copies of the standard English reading, mathematics and English grammar and punctuation and spelling (GPS) tests. Previously, GPS was available only for download, but it will be included and supplied unless you decline to receive all materials. They will calculate the quantities required based on school census data. However, schools should order modified tests by (TBA) on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal,  if required.

Schools who do not use the optional tests and teacher assessments do not have to report this to them. However, if maintained schools and academies do not wish to receive paper copies of any of the KS1 tests, they can decline them on the National Curriculum Assessments Portal from (TBA). Note that schools cannot decline individual subjects. Schools that decline test materials will still be able to download them from the National Curriculum Assessments Portal from (TBA).

STA have published the following guidance documents today, (TBA), to support schools who wish to administer the optional tests and assessments to their pupils:

• Optional KS1 tests guidance
• Optional KS1 teacher assessment guidance
• Optional KS1 access arrangements guidance

If schools have any questions about the guidance, or the optional tests or assessments, they can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or at assessments@education.gov.uk.

Key Stage 2

• Ensure that the KS2 assessment arrangements are implemented through a LA programme of moderation monitoring and data checking
• Offer guidance and advice on all aspects of assessment at KS2 through assessment briefings and updates
• Ensure all schools receive an external moderation of Y6 writing as part of the STA determined cycle and in schools where assessment is at risk of inaccuracy moderate more frequently
• Provide advice to schools on access to and reporting of statutory assessment for the end of KS2
• Quality assure writing teacher assessment data prior to submitting teacher assessments to the DFE
• Conduct LA test monitoring visits as per statutory guidelines. The KS2 monitoring visits will take place within a set cycle

The following services will be available to all schools (including Academies and Free schools) at no cost as part of the City Council’s statutory duty:

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP)

The EYFSP is a statutory summative assessment completed at the end of the Reception year. Its purpose is to support a smooth transition into Key Stage 1 by informing professional dialogue between EYFS and Year 1 teachers. It can also contribute to meaningful conversations with parents and carers about their child’s learning and development.

Schools must complete the EYFS profile assessment between April and June of the academic year in which children turn 5, which is usually the reception year.

Key requirements:

• Local Authorities remain responsible for collecting EYFSP data and submitting it to the Department for Education (DfE), usually by the end of June each year (exact dates are confirmed annually).

• Data must be checked thoroughly by the school, before submission to the LA to ensure an accurate and statistically valid return is made to the DfE

• Statutory external moderation of the EYFSP has now ended. However, schools are encouraged to engage in local moderation activities, including agreement trialling, discussion, and reflection.

• Primary network leads should promote these opportunities across schools and, where possible, involve local early years providers to strengthen transition practice.

• Teachers are not required to record evidence for each Early Learning Goal (ELG), or to provide physical evidence for EYFSP completion or for Ofsted inspection purposes.

• The EYFSP must be completed unless a setting or child has a formal exemption. Having a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) is not in itself grounds for exemption.

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

• All pupils must also complete the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) within the first six weeks of starting school. This forms the baseline for measuring progress to the end of Key Stage 2.

• For questions or to take part in digital user research, schools can contact Future-RBA.sta@education.gov.uk

 Please see further guidance:

• Exemptions from Learning and Development Requirements
• EYFS learning and development requirements: exemptions for providers
• EYFS learning and development requirements: exemptions for children
• Early years foundation stage profile handbook
• Primary assessments: future dates
•  Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

Our commitment to you

Quality assurance

The local authority has quality assurance processes in place to ensure that all statutory functions are carried out as per the guidance in the assessment and reporting arrangements for each key stage. An appeals process outlining the steps to take if the school is not satisfied with the service is shared with schools on an annual basis. The Standards and Testing Agency monitors local authority systems, plans and evaluations to ensure that the local authority is carrying out its statutory duties with respect to statutory assessment at each key stage.

Members of the team

All members of the moderation teams are currently teachers in schools. All moderators have to undergo an induction period before they work on their own and their work is quality assured by the Moderation Manager. The Coventry Monitoring Officers and LA Officers will carry out monitoring visits.

Local Agreement 2025

What we cost

Services are available to academies and free schools through a service level agreement.

Service Level Agreement 2025-2026

The DfE will contact schools regarding which LA their school will use for Monitoring and Moderation. Once the DfE has this information they will inform the LA.

Charge per half-day for:

• Monitoring visits KS2 SATs: £250
• Phonics screen check monitoring visits: £125

The majority of moderation and monitoring visits will incur a half-day charge. There may, however, be the need to charge for a full day for larger schools (3 or 4 form entry where it is anticipated moderation will take longer than a half-day). Schools would be advised of the charge prior to the KS2 moderation or monitoring visit.