Primary Assessment Information
Primary schools in England conduct several national assessments to monitor children's progress. These assessments help identify strengths and areas for development, ensuring targeted support is provided.
Reception Baseline Assessment (Reception)
- This assessment is carried out in the first few weeks of Reception.
- It provides a snapshot of children's starting points in literacy, communication, language and mathematics.
- It is designed to be a short, practical and play-based assessment.
- It is used to measure the progress children make from Reception to the end of Key Stage 2.
Phonics Screening Check (Year 1)
- This assessment checks children's ability to decode words using phonics.
- It takes place in June and involves reading real and pseudo-words.
- It ensures children have a solid foundation in early reading skills.
Year 1 Phonics Screening Parents Presentation
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check Information for Parents
Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4)
- This assessment checks children's fluency in multiplication facts up to 12 x 12.
- It takes place in June and is conducted online.
- It ensures children have a strong grasp of essential multiplication skills.
SATs Information
SATs stands for “Standard Assessment Tests” though it can also stand for “Statutory Assessment Tests”. They take place across primary schools in England every year.
Children take their SATs in Year 2 (at the end of Key Stage 1) and Year 6 (at the end of Key Stage 2).
Key Stage 1 SATs Tests
Key Stage 1 SATs take place in May when children are in Year 2. They test children’s skills in maths and English reading (plus an optional test in grammar, punctuation and spelling). There is also a teacher assessment in writing. They are informal national curriculum tests. They are not strictly timed, take place in a normal classroom setting and they are marked by the child’s teacher.
Key Stage 2 SATs Tests
Key Stage 2 SATs take place in May when children are in Year 6. They test children’s skills in maths, English reading and grammar, punctuation and spelling. There are also teacher assessments in writing and science.
KS2 SATs are much more formal than KS1 SATs. These national curriculum tests are formally timed, there’s a nation-wide exam timetable and the exams are sent off to be marked externally.
Please take a look at our parent SATs presentation documents along with other useful documents below:
Top Tips Dealing With SATs And Tests
GPS Glossary Parent And Carer Information Sheet
Maths Glossary Parent And Carer Information Sheet
2024 Information for parents reception baseline assessment
2025 key stage 2 national curriculum tests - information for parents
Information for parents multiplication tables check
Optional key stage 1 national curriculum tests - information for parents