Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests can be rescheduled for individual children or for a whole cohort, with the Standards and Testing Agency's (STA) permission and subject to strict criteria. This is known as a timetable variation.

There are two types of timetable variation available:

  • a change to the statutory test timetable by up to a week (five school days) after the day specified in the statutory timetable; or
  • a change to the statutory test timetable so that an individual child can take a test on the scheduled date, but separately from the rest of the cohort, between 7.00am and 7.00pm on the day of a test.

Under no circumstances may a test be taken before the day specified in the statutory timetable.

Schools must complete the appropriate form on the Access arrangements section of the NCA tools website to use a timetable variation.

If you are in any doubt about the type of timetable variation to make, contact the National Curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 as early as possible.

Criteria for timetable variations

Requests for timetable variations for individual children or for a whole cohort may be granted, subject to the following strict criteria:

  • the children taking the test(s) at the nominated time(s);
  • STA being informed of any variation to the nominated time(s);
  • the children being kept apart from other children taking, or who have taken the test; and
  • the children having not had access to the internet.

Headteachers’ responsibilities

It is the headteacher’s responsibility to make a judgement about any proposed timetable variations.

Schools must not administer a timetable variation unless the headteacher can confirm that:

  • the content of the tests has remained confidential;
  • the child has not been in contact with any of the children who have already taken the tests; and
  • the child has not had access to the internet.

Headteachers may choose to contact the child’s parents to confirm that the integrity of the tests has been maintained.

It is maladministration for a school to vary the statutory test timetable without permission from STA or without providing notification to STA, as appropriate. Where this happens, children’s results may be annulled and will not be reported as part of the statutory assessment process.

Applications for a change to the statutory test timetable

STA will consider applications for a change to the test timetable for an individual child or the whole cohort under the following circumstances:

  • a child is absent on the day of the test due to illness;
  • important appointments that cannot be rearranged, such as hospital appointments, court appearances and national and international sports participation;
  • schools being used as polling stations for local or general elections where it is not possible to continue with test administration in another part of the school;
  • delays in the distribution of test materials that affect the administration of tests on the scheduled dates;
  • observance of religious or cultural festivals;
  • unforeseeable problems with the running of the school, for example flooding; or
  • having a short working day, for example in a pupil referral unit.

STA will not allow a change to the test timetable for:

  • family holidays; or
  • school activities, for example staff training events, field trips and excursions.

What to do after submitting the form

The test must not be taken until the application has been formally approved.

You will receive an automated email if your application has been approved, rejected or if more information is required. To check the outcome of an application, or to see whether further information is required, log in to the Access arrangements section of NCA tools.

Notifications of a change to the statutory test timetable between 7.00am and 7.00pm on the day of a test

Schools must notify STA of a timetable change for individual children made on the day of a test. Examples of acceptable circumstances are:

  • a child being ill;
  • a child arriving late;
  • moving a test to the afternoon for a child who arrives in school on the morning of a scheduled test with a broken arm, to enable the school to put in place arrangements for a scribe; or
  • staggering the tests where a number of children require readers, translators or scribes, and there would not be enough staff to support them if they were to take the test at the same time.　

In the interest of child welfare, the timetable cannot be varied for children to take the tests before 7.00am or after 7.00pm.

What to do after submitting the form

Schools may administer the test to a child once the timetable notification has been made. They do not have to wait until the notification has been formally approved.

Contact details

National Curriculum assessments helpline
Telephone: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk