Injuries
Every year some children are injured in a way that affects their ability to take the tests. When this happens, schools can use access arrangements (for example 25 per cent additional time and/or a scribe, word processor or transcript) to help the child access the tests. More information about these access arrangements can be found in section 7 of the 2013 Key Stage 2 Assessment and reporting arrangements. Schools do not need to request permission to use access arrangements in these circumstances.
If there is time before the tests, a child who needs to use a scribe unexpectedly should be given the chance to practice under test conditions.
Schools must not open the tests early because of unforeseen injuries.
Illness at the time of the tests
Children who are ill on the day of the tests are not expected to sit them however schools should consider the use of a timetable variation if it is a minor illness and a child is not able to take the test later in the day. A timetable variation allows a child to take a test up to a week after the published test date. More information on applying for and administering a timetable variation is available on the Timetable variations page.
If a child does not take a test because of illness, the child should be entered as absent on the attendance register.
Contact details
National Curriculum assessments helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk
