National Curriculum Tests For Parents: Key Stages 1 And 2.pdf

The national curriculum tests for key stages 1 and 2 will take place in May 2016. These tests will provide information about your child's progress compared to children nationally. They are not qualifications and do not affect your child's future options in school. The results will be used to ensure schools are teaching essential knowledge and skills.

Changes to the tests this year include a new test of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and a new arithmetic test. The tests will be taken during May at a time determined by the school. They are not strictly timed tests and will be incorporated into everyday classroom practice.

Key stage 1 tests for year 2 pupils will include English reading, English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and mathematics. The phonics screening check will also be taken by key stage 1 pupils during the week of June 13 to 17. Teacher assessment will be used to report children's attainment and progress to parents.

Key stage 2 tests for year 6 pupils will include English reading, English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and mathematics. Some selected schools may also take part in science tests. The main changes to the tests this year are the inclusion of questions to assess new areas of core subjects and a new arithmetic test.

Test dates for key stage 2 pupils are as follows: English reading on Monday, May 9; English grammar, punctuation, and spelling on Tuesday, May 10; mathematics on Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12. You will receive test results for your child in English reading, English grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and mathematics. There is no test for English writing, which will be reported using teacher assessment.

You do not need to prepare your children for the tests, as their teacher will ensure they are prepared. You can visit www.gov.uk/STA for more details or see a sample of the tests at www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-2016-sample-materials.