Statutory Assessments in Primary Schools

At specific times throughout their primary career, children take part in a number of statutory assessments.  These official checkpoints show how well pupils are learning and progressing through the EYFS and National Curriculum, helping us decide how best to support or stretch your child.

2-Year-Old Progress Check
The 2-year-old check reviews progress in the prime areas of communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development.  It helps identify strengths and any areas where additional support may be beneficial - at an early stage.

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA – Autumn Term)
Children complete this assessment within the first six weeks of starting Reception.  It is a short, practical activity that measures early literacy, communication, language and mathematics skills.  The results are not shared with parents and carers but are used nationally to chart progress from Reception to the end of primary school.

Reception baseline assessment: information for parents

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP - Summer Term)
The EYFS Profile is a teacher assessment completed at the end of Reception, where children are assessed against the Early Learning Goals and judged as either emerging or expected.  The report you receive will highlight your child’s strengths and any areas where support may be needed as they make the move into Year 1.

Phonics Screening Check (Year 1 in June)
The purpose of the phonics screening check is to confirm that all children have learned phonic decoding to an age-appropriate standard.  This assessment helps us identify children who may need additional intervention with their reading.

Phonics screening check: information for parents

Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4 in June)
This online assessment measures children's recall of multiplication facts up to 12 × 12, through a set of 24 timed questions.  Strong times table knowledge supports success across many areas of mathematics.

Multiplication tables check: information for parents

Key Stage 2 SATs (Year 6)
At the end of Key Stage 2, in Year 6, pupils complete national tests in reading, mathematics, grammar, punctuation and spelling.  Writing and science are assessed by class teachers based on evidence from everyday work, across the academic year. These assessments provide information about pupils' attainment and achievement at the end of primary school and support their transition to secondary education.

2026 key stage 2 national curriculum tests: information for parents:

Assessment results at the end of key stage 2: information for parents