SATs and Assessment

What is assessment for learning?

Teachers use assessment as an integral part of their practice. It informs planning and underpins the learning process. In classroom practice, learning goals or success criteria are constructed or shared with the learners. As the learning moves forward towards meeting these, progress is evaluated and positive feedback is given.

At Thurton CE Primary School, teachers use four main assessment strategies:

  • Questioning
  • Feedback (marking and verbal)
  • Peer and self-assessment
  • Formative and Summative Assessment

Parents and carers are informed of their child’s progress each term through receiving a Progress Report and having the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with their child’s teacher at a Progress Meeting. The judgements made on school reports are based on teacher assessment evidence collated over the term.

What about more formal assessments?

During your child’s time at school, they will sit national curriculum tests (SATs) in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. These tests are in phonics, reading, mathematics and English grammar, punctuation and spelling. Children do not sit a test for writing – a judgement is made based on teacher assessment. In Year groups 1, 3, 4 and 5, the children sit age-appropriate optional tests devised by NFER.

When are the tests administered?

Reception Baseline October
Year 1 Phonics Screening Tests June
Year 2 KS1 SATs May / June (2023 and then 2024 review)
Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check June
Year 6 KS2 SATs May
Years 1, 3, 4 and 5 NFER Optional Tests

Maths No Problem Tests

Mid-Year February

End of Year – May / June

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) have published this information leaflet and accompanying videos for parents which you may find useful. Please click here to visit the DFE page and scroll down to view the videos.

If you would like to view past Phonics Screening Checks, KS1 SATs papers or KS2 SATs papers, click here.

If you would like to know more about the NFER optional tests, please click here to visit their website.