About this guidance

This is statutory guidance from the Department. It covers statutory teacher assessment and reporting requirements for Key Stage 3.

It also includes guidance on how to assess and report Key Stage 3 National Curriculum attainment; information about teacher assessment; and requirements for reporting results to parents.

Expiry/review date

This guidance is reviewed annually. It covers the 2012/13 academic year.

What legislation does this guidance relate to?

The teacher assessment and reporting arrangements (TARA) contains provisions made pursuant to Article 12(1) of the Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 3 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2003, SI 2003/1039 (as amended by SI 2008/3081, SI 2009/1585, SI 2010/677, SI 2011/2392 and SI 2012/765). This Order is made under section 87(3) of the Education Act 2002.

The TARA gives full effect to, or otherwise supplements, the provisions made in the Order and as such has effect as if made by the order. The TARA contains additional guidance and information on National Curriculum assessments and their administration.

Who is this guidance for?

This guidance is for all those responsible for assessment and reporting at Key Stage 3. In particular:

  • headteachers;
  • governing bodies; and
  • local authority (LA) assessment coordinators.

This guidance applies to maintained schools, academies, Free Schools, pupil referral units and independent schools. Full details can be found in the attached guidance.

Key points

  • all those responsible for completing teacher assessment and reporting at Key Stage 3 need to refer to the TARA and be aware of any changes from previous years;
  • in particular this TARA is intended to help headteachers, governing bodies and LAs ensure that schools’ statutory teacher assessment and reporting arrangements are completed in accordance with the requirements of the order; and
  • where an academy’s funding agreement provides that it shall comply with guidance issued by the Secretary of State in relation to assessments and teacher assessments of children’s performance, this TARA is that guidance and the academy must comply with it.