About this guidance

This is statutory guidance from the Department. It covers statutory assessment and reporting requirements for Key Stage 1.

It also includes guidance on how to prepare for and administer Key Stage 1 National Curriculum assessments, including the phonics screening check; and requirements for reporting results.

Expiry/review date

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

What legislation does this guidance relate to?

This document contains provisions made pursuant to article 9 of The Education (National Curriculum) (Key Stage 1 Assessment Arrangements) (England) Order 2004, as amended. This order is made under section 87(3) of the Education Act 2002. This document gives full effect to, or otherwise supplements, the provisions made in the order and as such has effect as if made by the order. This Assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA) also contains guidance and information that does not form part of the law.

Who is this guidance for?

This guidance is for all those responsible for assessment and reporting in Key Stage 1 in particular:

  • headteachers;
  • governing bodies; and
  • local authorities.

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 assessing and reporting Key Stage 1 need to refer to the ARA and be aware of any changes from previous years;
  • in particular this ARA is intended to help headteachers, governing bodies and local authorities ensure that schools’ statutory 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 ARA is that guidance and the academy must comply with it.